, THE BOOK OF 
CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



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THE BOOK OF 
CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



THE BOOK OF 
CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



BY 

MARY AND SARA WHITE 

WITH DECORATIONS BY FANNY Y. CORY 

WORKING DRAWINGS BY MARY WHITE 

AND PHOTOGRAPHS 




NEW YORK: THE CENTURY CO, 

1903 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS. 

Two Copies Receivec 

SEP 30 1903 

y- Copyright Entry 
CUSS ^ XXc. No 

COPY 0. 






« t CC G C 



C f- t C C I 



Copyright, 1903, by 
The Century Co. 



The DeVinne Press 



TO THE ONE WHO 

GAVE US OUR FIRST PARTY 

OUR MOTHER 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Introduction^ On the Giving of Parties xi 

I Midwinter Parties 3 

II Springtime Parties 27 

III Out-of-door Parties for Summer . . 53 

ly Autumn Parties 77 

y Supplementary Parties and Games . 103 

yi Properties 131 

yii Gifts and Favors 145 

yiii Suggestions for Simple Menus . . . 165 



yu 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Archery on St. Valentine's Day . . . Frontispiece 

The Twelfth-night Court 17 

The Gardeners and the Eose-bush 33 

Hide-and-go-seek with Eose Horns 61 

Hide-and-go-seek. "Eeady!'' 73 

Tossing Chestnuts 91 

Fun on the Ice 115 

Some Properties for Character Parties .... 139 

Gifts and Favors 155 

Table with Gift Basket 169 



IX 



^y 



INTRODUCTION 
ON THE GIVING OF PARTIES 



ON THE GIVING OF PARTIES 

THOUGH not necessarily involving much expense^ 
a children's party calls for rather more careful 
planning and diplomacy than is demanded in the 
case of a similar function for the grown-ups. 

What shall we do with the brave little men and 
dear little maids who have arrived at the appointed 
hour? The problem is not a difficult one to solve, 
and this little book is intended to help the mothers, 
aunts, and teachers whose pleasure it is to make the 
children happy on birthday, holiday, and school-day. 

One thinks nothing of systematic and elaborate 
preparations for our grown-up parties, and one should 
bestow no less thought and time where the children 
are concerned. In making out the list, keep the 
number under thirty if possible, and there should 
not be too great a difference in the ages. A care- 

xiii 



xiv THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN^S PAETIES 

fully thought out program of games which will 
be interesting and appropriate to the ages and the 
number of children invited is of the first importance. 
For the most part the games are new or have new 
features^ but old favorites have been included— the 
games that will never go out of fashion. 

Properties^ favors, and prizes should be system- 
atically arranged beforehand, and stowed away out 
of sight, but easily accessible at the proper moment. 

The little host or hostess should be inspired to 
show an unselfish interest in the happiness of his or 
her little friends, and should receive them with the 
grown-up hostess. 

When the party day has arrived, and with it the 
children, there are bows and curtsies, and the tiny 
guests settle themselves comfortably or uncomfor- 
tably, according to the nature of each. Then is the 
moment for the pianist to take her place and with 
lively airs charm away all constraint until enough 
children have arrived to begin playing a game. Six 
to eight is a good number, and if the hostess has an 
assistant this will be her opportunity to start the 
children playing. Eing games, Air Ball, or char- 
acter games are suitable ones with which to begin, 
a3 the newcomers can enter into the frolic without 



INTEODUCTION xv 

disturbing the others. Music, wherever it can come 
in naturally, lends spirit and dash to the games. 

From drawing-room to library or nursery often 
makes an excellent change, especially where some 
paraphernalia is required and has to be prepared 
beforehand. 

There is usually a shy little girl or boy who hesi- 
tates to enter the game. By degrees the strangeness 
wears off ; self has been forgotten in the spirit of the 
play, and it is quite an easy step to draw the child 
into the game by tossing the ball or bean-bag tempt- 
ingly near, or with an apparently careless word or 
question. Character parties are especially helpful 
in taking away self-consciousness. Playing ^^pre- 
tend" has in itself a fascination that few children 
can resist, and when a little girl finds herself actually 
a Queen of the Fairies by right of crown, wand, 
and wings, she assumes the manners and privileges 
of her station without an effort. A boy whose name 
has suddenly changed to Jack the Giant-killer 
will soon forget his troublesome hands and feet in 
his exalted position ; and he has scant notice for 
those who address him by the uninteresting name of 
Bobby. That name belongs back in the other world 
of kilts and curls for which he has no use at the 



xvi THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

present moment. The properties for these character 
parties are easily fashioned^ and are sure to be a 
delight to the children who receive them. 

Story-telling should come after a romp. It is the 
prettiest moment of the party^ when the children^ 
with flushed faces^ settle themselves in a group on 
the floor, and relax to the ever magic words of 
" Once upon a time—'' 

Interest is added if at an unexpected moment a 
child is called upon to tell what he supposes '' hap- 
pened then.'' Should his idea be a good one, as is 
almost certain to be the case, his suggestion can be 
taken for the cue, and the story continued, when 
another child may be called upon for a suggestion. 

Prizes and favors play an important part in the 
games, but should be made appropriate rather than 
elaborate. The child who wears around his neck a 
ribbon to which is attached a tiny bell is justly proud 
of his tinkling favor. It is to be won by rolling a 
ball so straight that the large dinner-bell, suspended 
from the chandelier and just above the floor, rings 
loud and true. And the boy or girl who pierces 
the center of the red-heart target, on St. Valen- 
tine's day, will appreciate the gift of the bow and 
arrow which helped to win the victory. 



INTRODUCTION xvii 

That each may carry home some sou venire a bon- 
bon favor should be found at each place on the 
supper-table ; and it will gladden the hearts of those 
who were not successful in winning prizes in the 
games. 

Let the menu be simple, that the joy of the occa- 
sion may not be marred later with misery and 
mustard plasters. 

The gift surprise is the last joy of all. A rose tree, 
gift ball, or one of the many new and charming de- 
vices for hiding a toy or game, which originated in the 
old-fashioned but ever popular Jack Horner pie, is 
the most suitable ending to a successful party. 

The watchful hostess need not plan for after- 
supper games. The pleasure in the gifts, and the 
comparing of trinkets and toys with one another, 
will fill up the time until the " good-bys " and '' I 've 
had a lovely time '' are said. 



THE BOOK OF 
CHILDREISr'S PAKTIES 



CHAPTER I 



MIDWINTEE PAETIES 




_y 



DECEMBER : JANUARY : 
: FEBRUARY : 



DECEMBER 
A CHRISTMAS PARTY 



MATERIALS REQUIRED 



Game op Holly Wreath : A large wreath of holly ; a 
small red sled ; three yards of red satin ribbon two inches 
wide ; a dozen and a half bells ; as many paper snowballs 
as children ; a prize. 

A Ring on a String : A ball of red twine ; a ring. 

Christmas Candles : A tiny Christmas tree ; as many 
candles as there are children ; a prize. 

Christmas Stockings: A large sheet on which is 
painted a fireplace, full-size ; as many small stockings as 
children ; half as many tiny toys as children. 

Favors : As many bonbon-boxes with reindeer on the 
cover as there are children ; a large snowball full of gifts. 

Number of Children, 20 to 30 
Ages, 5 to 10 



DECEMBEE 
A CHRISTMAS PARTY 



CHKISTM AS-TIDE, when the holiday spirit reigns, 
is the season of all others for a children's party. 
Eooms hung with holly and mistletoe need no other 
decoration, and the Christmas colors, red and green, 
are repeated in gifts and favors. 

When all the children have arrived, two, a boy 
and a girl, are quietly led into another room, to re- 
turn presently with a small red sled drawn by red 
ribbon reins with jingling sleigh-bells. On the sled 
are piled snowballs made of crepe paper, soft and 
white, one for each child (see Chapter VII). A 
huge holly wreath is hung in a doorway, and, stand- 
ing eight feet from the wreath, each child tries in 
turn to throw his snowball through it. A prize may 
be given to the one who succeeds. Should there be 

7 



8 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

more than one, the successful players^ each with 
three balls, contest for the prize. 

EiNG ON A String : The children form a circle, with 
one child in the center. On a string long enough to 
reach around the circle a gold ring is threaded, and 
the children, holding the string loosely in their 
hands, slip the ring along from hand to hand. The 
player in the center watches closely, trying to catch 
the ring under the hand of some child, who must 
then take his place. 

When the children tire of this play they troop into 
another room for the game of Christmas Candles. 
A tiny Christmas tree with lighted candles is set on a 
table at a convenient height. One child at a time 
is blindfolded, turned around three times, and told 
to take three steps and then blow as hard as he can. 
The one who blows out the most candles receives a 
prize. 

Magic Music : When the children return to the 
room where they were received, one remains outside 
and the others decide upon something he is to find ; 
for example, a holly berry which is hidden in a low 
vase. He is then called in and told that there is 
something hidden in the room which he is to find, 
and magic music will direct him to its hiding-place. 



MIDWINTER PAETIES 9 

When the music is loud he may know he is near it ; 
when it grows faint he is far away. Christmas music 
or a medley of airs from comic opera may be played 
by the hostess. When the berry is finally found 
another player may be sent out of the room and 
some other object hidden. 

A game that is played like stage-coach follows. 
It is called The I^ight Before Christmas. The 
children sit in a circle around the room^ and the leader, 
who may be the hostess, stands in the middle and tells 
a story about Christmas eve and the coming of St. 
Nicholas, or she may read or repeat the ^^ Visit of St. 
Nicholas '' : 

"'T was the night before Christmas," etc. 

Each child should be given beforehand some name 
mentioned in the story ; for example : reindeer, 
sleigh, snow, stockings, chimney, doll, trumpet, drum, 
rocking-horse. If the ^^ Visit of St. Nicholas '' is 
chosen, one is named Mama, another Dasher, an- 
other Dancer, and still another Blitzen. As each 
name is mentioned the child representing it rises 
and turns around ; and with the words " St. Nich- 
olas '' all change seats, the leader also trying to 
secure one. If she is successful the player who is 



10 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 



left standing must take her place and continue the 
story. 

When this game flags^ the children may hang up 
Christmas Stockings. A sheet on which is painted a 
full-size fireplace is hung on one side of the room. 

Every child having been pro- 
vided with a tiny stocking with 
a pin at the top, each in turn 
is blindfolded and told to go 
to the fireplace and pin his 
stocking to the mantel. If he 
succeeds, a tiny toy is slipped 
into the stocking before the 
handkerchief is removed from 
his eyes. But if the stocking is out of place it is 
left empty. When all have hung their stockings 
it will be supper-time ; and for the menu see Chap- 
ter VIII. A small bonbon-box with a reindeer on 
the cover will be found at each place. 

After supper the children gather about a great 
snowball which is hung from an arch or doorway, 
and from which each pulls some gift (see Chapter 
VII). 




JANUARY 
A TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY 



MATEEIALS EEQUIEED 



Game of Choosing Characters: Two card-trays; as 
many cards as children, each card bearing the picture or 
name of a character ; a bit of costume for each child. 

Air Ball : Two paper balls ; two palm-leaf fans tied with 
ribbons, one blue and white, the other red and white ; a 
prize. 

Stray Quotations : Twenty or more quotations, each 
written on a long strip of paper ; a paper of pins ; a prize. 

The King's Armory : A wooden plate or tray. 

The Game of Beasts : A large sheet of cardboard ; six 
sheets of silhouette paper, black on one side and white on 
the other ; six pairs of scissors ; a bottle of mucilage ; as 
many pencils and cards as players. 

Number of Children, 15 to 25 
Ages, 10 to 15 



JANUAEY 
A TWELFTH-OTGHT PAETY 



Twelfth-night, or the Feast of the Star, was a 
time of merrymaking in olden days. Such oppor- 
tunities as it offers for quaint costumes and games it 
would be a pity not to improve. Suppose, then, one 
plans for the 6th of January a Twelfth-night 
Party. 

The chief feature of the Twelfth-night revels was 
the choosing of the king and queen and their court 
by means* of cards on which pictures were drawn 
and colored to represent the different characters. 
Such cards the hostess provides beforehand (see 
Chapter VII), and as the children arrive each girl 
draws one from a tray on which are placed, face 
downward, cards for the queen and her ladies. 
Each boy takes a card from another tray, which con- 

13 





14 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEIST'S PAETIES 

tains those for the king and his lords in waiting. In 
an adjoining room the hostess (or some other grown 

person), to whom each 
child in turn is sent, 
dresses him in 
the property or 
bit of costume 
belonging to the 
character which his card bears (see Chapter 
VI). It is a gay little court : king and 
queen in gold crowns, the jester in his party- 
colored cap and tinkling bells, the herald 
with trumpet to his lips, and the lords and 
ladies in waiting with their wands, each 
tipped with a golden star. 

Fortunately their dignity is easily laid aside, 
for they will not need it in the merry game of 
Air Ball. Two bright-colored paper balls are 
provided for this game, one red and white, 
the other blue and white (see Chapter VII) ; 
also two palm-leaf fans tied with ribbons of 
the same colors. Two captains are elected, 
who choose sides and colors. A goal is 
arranged at each end of the room by placing two 
chairs or footstools a yard apart. A chair is also 



MIDWINTER PARTIES 



15 




placed half-way between the goals in the middle of 
the room. Each team takes possession of a goal and 
the ball and fan in its 
colors. Two players at a 
time contest, one from each 
side. Each stands in front 
of his goal, fan in hand, his 
paper ball at his feet. At 
a signal from the hostess, 
who acts as umpire, each 
child fans his ball toward his opponent's goal. The 
object is to send the ball between the legs of the 
chair in the center of the room and through the 
goal of the opposing team. The side which first 
succeeds of course wins. The players are not al- 
lowed to touch the ball, which may be moved only 
by the breeze from the fan. The team that scores 
the most is rewarded with a bouquet of flowers, 
which is divided by the captain among the players. 
Stray Quotations : A number of quotations, 
twenty or thirty perhaps, taken from such familiar 
sources as ^^Alice in Wonderland,'' ^^The Visit of St. 
Nicholas," and Stevenson's^^ Child's Garden of Verses," 
are written on long strips of white paper, and each is 
cut into two or more pieces. Before the children ar- 



16 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN^S PARTIES 

rive these slips have been pinned on curtains, cushions, 
picture-frames, and furniture. Each child is told to try- 
to find the beginning of a quotation among the slips 
of paper about the room, and, having secured one, to 
look for the remainder of the quotation. When he 
has completed one quotation he tries to find another. 
The game goes on in this way until there are no 
more slips to be found, when the player having the 
greatest number of quotations receives a prize. 

Then comes the King's Armory, which is our old 
friend Spin the Platter in a more elaborate form. 
Each child takes the name of some weapon or piece 
of armor in the king's armory, such as : broadsword, 
shield, dagger, helmet, lance, bow, arrow, breastplate, 
and gauntlet. The children are seated in a large 
circle— all but one who stands in the middle, and 
taking a wooden plate or round tray, twirls it around 
upon its edge, on the floor, calling at the same time 
the name of one of the pieces of armor. Upon this 
the player who bears the name called starts up and 
tries to catch the platter before it falls. Should he 
fail he must pay a forfeit and take the spinner's 
place. Otherwise he has no forfeit to pay, simply 
spinning the platter the next time. The child who 
spins the platter may, instead of simply calling the 



MIDWINTER PARTIES 19 

name, introduce it in a sentence. For example : 
"The king is going to the chase and needs his bow." 
When the word "armory" is spoken by the spinner 
all the players change seats, and the one left out 
must pay a forfeit and spin the platter the next 
time. After the game the forfeits are redeemed. 

ISText comes the Game of Beasts. A large sheet of 
cardboard is hung at one end of the room. Each 
child then receives a piece of silhouette paper, size 
five by six inches, and a pencil. Several pairs of 
scissors are also provided. On the white side of the 
paper is written a number and the name of a beast. 
For example : "l^o. 1, Lion." Each child draws an 
outline picture of the animal whose name was on 
his paper, and cuts it out. All must have finished 
in fifteen or twenty minutes. The hostess then col- 
lects the animals and pastes them, black side out, on 
the white cardboard, numbering each with the num- 
ber of the child who made it. Each child then re- 
ceives a card numbered down the left side, and is 
asked to guess what beast is represtened by each 
silhouette, and write the name down opposite its 
number. A papier-mache animal filled with bon- 
bons may be given to the child who presents the 
greatest number of correct guesses, and the one who 



20 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

is the least successful receives the sheet of animals 
as a consolation prize. It will then be time for sup- 
per, for which an appropriate menu will be found in 
Chapter VIII. 



FEBEUARY 
A ST. VALENTINE'S PAETY 



MATERIALS REQUIRED 



St. Valentine's Post : As many tiny valentines as 
players. 

Game of Broken Hearts: As many red pasteboard 
hearts, two and a half by three inches long, as players ; 
several pairs of scissors ; a prize. 

TiDDLEDY-wiNK GoLF : As many white score-cards in 
heart-shape as girls ; as many red score-cards in heart- 
shape as boys ; two or three sets of tiddledy- winks ; a prize 
for a girl and one for a boy. 

Heart Hunt : Two or three pounds of white sugar hearts 
having mottos in red upon them. 

Archery : A large heart-shaped target ; a bow and 
arrows. 

Number of Children, 15 to 30 
Ages, 8 to 15 



FEBEUAEY 
A ST. VALENTINE'S PAETY 



There is no festive occasion more appropriate for 
a children's party than St. Valentine's day. 80 
many attractive games are available, and favors and 
decorations, whether simple or elaborate, are dainty 
and charming and easily obtained. 

As many tiny valentines as there are children in- 
vited are written beforehand, slipped into little en- 
velops, and sealed with red seals in heart-shape ; or 
a simpler kind may be provided (see Chapter VII). 
These will be ready on a tray or in a bowl when the 
children arrive, to serve as favors in the game of 
St. Valentine's Post. When ten or more children 
have come, the hostess counts out to see which child 
will be postman. This player is blindfolded and 
the others sit around the room in a circle. There 
should be no empty chairs in the ring. The hostess 

23 



24 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

or some other grown person acts as postmistress, and 
gives to each child the name of a city or town. It 
is a good plan to prepare beforehand a list of places. 
The blind postman is led to the'niiddle of the circle, 
and the postmistress takes a station where she can 
see all the players. She then calls : ^^I have sent a 
valentine from Boston to Denver/' for example, and 
the children representing those cities change places 
as quickly and quietly as possible. The postman 
tries to catch one of them as they run, and if he suc- 
ceeds in doing this or in sitting in one of the empty 
chairs, the child who is caught or whose chair he 
has taken becomes postman. The retiring postman 
is rewarded by one of the valentine favors. If a 
child remains seated when his name is called he 
must take the postman's place. It makes more fun 
if the mails are called in quick succession, and, in- 
deed, it will be necessary, for usually the children 
cannot bear to stop the game until every one has 
won a valentine. Then comes the game of Broken 
Hearts. This is played in the same way as Easter 
Eggs (see Chapter II), except that, instead of egg- 
shaped cards, red cards in the form of hearts are 
provided. The prize may be a photograph-frame 
in heart-shape or a plaster Cupid. 



MIDWINTER PARTIES 25 

Next comes Tiddledy-wink Golf. Eacli child re- 
ceives a score-card in heart-shape^ with a pencil at- 
tachedj —red for the boys and white for the girls, — and 
all follow the hostess into an adjoining room, where 
they will find a golf course laid out on the floor. Small 
glasses form the holes, books the bunkers, and dishes 
of water the hazards. Regular tiddledy-wink chips, 
a large one for a club and a small one for a ball, are 
used by each player ; and mixed foursomes may be 
played. The score-cards are numbered at the top, 
so that the boy with No. 1 on a red heart will play 
with the girl having the same number on her white 
one. The pair handing in the best score is, of 
course, the winning one. Small silver charms in 
heart-form, or golf stick-pins or pencils, make appro- 
priate prizes for this game. 

A Heart Hunt follows. Before the guests arrive, 
small sugar hearts with mottos printed in red upon 
them are hidden in nooks and crannies, behind pic- 
tures, and in ornaments about the room where the 
children are to be received ; and here, when the golf 
match is over, they gather to hunt for the hearts. 
There is another way of playing the same game which 
the hostess may prefer. The hearts, hidden before- 
hand, are of pasteboard in different colors^ and about 



26 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

an inch and a half in diameter. A white heart will 
count one point for the child who finds it. A blue 
heart counts two, a yellow one three, a pink one 
four, and a red five. The child with the greatest 
number of points to his credit may be rewarded by 
some pretty trifle, as a box of bonbons in heart- 
shape. 

Archery comes next. Cupids' darts are shot from 
a small bow by each child in turn at a heart-shaped 
target of white with a smaller red heart for a bull's- 
eye. The one whose dart comes nearest the middle 
of the bull's-eye may receive the gaily beribboned 
bow and arrows for a prize. The children will then 
be ready to do justice to supper, the menu for which 
will be found in Chapter VIII. Suggestions for 
favors are given in Chapter VII. 



CHAPTER II 

SPRINGTIME PARTIES 



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MARCH : APRIL 
: MAY : 



MARCH 
ALICE IN WONDERLAND PARTY 



MATERIALS EEQUIRED 

Game of Characters : As many cards as children. 

The Caucus Race : Costumes ; a silver thimble ; a box 
of comfits. 

The Mouse^s Tail : A large sheet on which is painted a 
picture of a tailless mouse ; as many cotton mouse-tails as 
children ; a prize. 

The Gardeners and the Rose-bush : A gift rose-bush 
(see Chapter VII). 

Number of Children, about 25 
Ages, 5 to 13 



MAECH 
ALICE m WONDEELAND PAETY 

CHARACTEE parties are sure to be successful ; for 
all children love to^^dress up.'' Let us have an 
Alice in Wonderland Party in March. If it is 
given on the birthday of a small boy he would natu- 
rally take the character of the March Hare ; and the 
invitations may be worded somewhat as follows : 

Mrs. Gray requests the pleasure of your company at an 
Alice in Wonderland Party in honor of the March Hare, on 
Friday, March the fourth, from three until six o'clock. 

If each child is to come in costume the invita- 
tions should read : 

Mrs. Gray requests the pleasure of the Duchess's com- 
pany, etc. 

Each child may be asked to come in the costume 
of a character from Alice in Wonderland. Other- 

31 



32 THE BOOK OF CHILDEE:N^'S PARTIES 

wise; simple properties^ or bits of costume which 
will sufficiently suggest the characters, may be pro- 
vided by the hostess. This will be comparatively 
easy and inexpensive if she is a woman with plenty 
of ingenuity and time, or if she can secure some one 
so favored to assist her. For a list of characters 
and properties see Chapter VI. 

If the above plan is to be carried out, the game 
of Characters from Alice in Wonderland will be 
the first on the program. As the guests arrive a card 
is pinned on the back of each child. Each card 
bears the name of some character from ^^ Alice in 
Wonderland.'' These the other children read, and 
from the comments made by their companions each 
must guess the name of his or her character. When 
a child guesses whom he represents, he receives the 
property or bit of costume belonging to that char- 
acter, and when all have guessed, the next game is 
in order. This is Caucus Eace— run just as Alice 
and the -animals ran it. ^^ First it [the Dodo] marked 
out a race-course in a sort of circle (^The exact 
shape does n't matter,' it said), and then all the 
party were placed along the course here and there. 
There was no ^ One, two, three, and away ! ' but 
they began running when they liked and left off 



SPEINGTIME PARTIES 35 

when they liked^ so that it was not easy to know 
when the race was over. However, . . . the Dodo 
suddenly called out: ^The race is over!''' The 
prizes are such as Alice and her friends received. 
A dainty thimble for Alice, and a small box of com- 
fits to be passed to each of the others. To make it 
more realistic, Alice may be taken into the secret, 
and the prizes hidden in the pocket of her apron, to 
be drawn out at the proper time. 

Then follows the Mouse's Tail— "a long and a sad 
one " : A large sheet of cotton on which has been 
painted the portrait of a tailless mouse is hung in a 
prominent place, and each child in turn is blind- 
folded and receives a mouse's tail with a pin at the 
large end. This he tries to put where it belongs on 
the mouse's portrait. When all have had their turn, 
a prize may be given to the most successful. 

A gift game follows. It is called ^^The Gardeners 
AND THE EosE-BUSH. A large flower-pot, in which is 
growing a huge rose-bush thickly covered with red 
and white roses, each containing a gift, is brought in. 
The gardeners (Two, Five, and Seven of Spades) 
pick the roses and present them to the children, 
white to the girls and red to the boys. 

Kext comes Parlor Croquet, and, when its delights 



36 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

have been exhausted, ^^The Mock Turtle's Story'' 
may be read or recited. Supper, which follows, may 
be called the ^^Mad Tea-party." The guests are 
seated at small tables, and at the end of each course 
a bell is rung and each child moves one seat to the 
right. 

Tableaux after the illustrations of ^^ Alice in Won- 
derland " may follow supper. 

It will readily be seen how a Mother Goose or 
Fairy Character Party could be planned on the 
same lines as this one. 



APRIL 



AN EASTER PARTY 



MATERIALS REQUIEED 



As many programs as children. 

Egg Race : One dozen life-size colored eggs ; two large 
wooden spoons ; two large baskets or nests ; half as many 
favors as children. 

Easter Eggs : Thirty cards in egg-shape ; several pairs 
of scissors ; a puzzle. 

Royal Lady : Seventy-five gaily colored paper lamp- 
lighters ; a prize. 

Spider Web : Ten balls of colored twine ; as many papier- 
mache eggs (each containing a tiny gift) as children. 

Number of Children, not over 30 
Ages, 13 to 16 



APEIL 
AN EASTER PAETY 

In the Easter holidays, when boys and girls are 
brimming over with the spirit of awakening spring 
and longing for something to do, an Easter Party 
will be most welcome. 

Dainty programs may be provided for the children 
if the mother or older sister of the child for whom 
the party is given can draw and paint. Such a 
program is shown on the following page. The 
names of the games being in conundrum form 
give something to guess and talk about. When all 
the guests have arrived, an egg race is started. On 
either side of the room six large colored eggs are 
placed in a line, at intervals of about a foot. At the 
far end of each line is a large open basket or coarsely 
woven nest. Two leaders are chosen, who in turn 

39 



40 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

choose sides. A player from each side is given a large 
wooden spoon and stands at the near end of his line. 
At a signal each starts to spoon up the eggs, one at 

a time, carrying them to the 
nest. A list of the win- 
ners on each side is 
kept, and at the end 
of the game the side 
which has the 
greater number is 
the victorious one. 
Small individual 
prizes may be given 
to all the players on 
this side. For exam- 
ple, tiny nests filled 
with egg bonbons. 
Egg-shaped white cards 
about three by two and a 
quarter inches are provided for the next game. 
The children take 'seats in a line or circle ,• every 
fourth child receives a pair of scissors and each one 
an egg-shaped card on a book or magazine. It is 
announced that each child is to cut his egg twice 
across, so as to make four pieces. The cuts should 




SPRINGTIME PAETIES 41 

be perfectly straight and should intersect each other, 
but they may go in any direction. After the egg is 
cut once, the pieces should be held together till the 
second cut has been made. Each child then mixes 
his four pieces and passes them to his neighbor on 
the right. At a signal each one tries to put his 
puzzle together, and the first child who succeeds calls 
out to that effect. Each child then mixes his puzzle 
and passes it to the player on his right. The suc- 
cessful player is credited with one mark on a tally 
kept by the hostess. The game then goes on as be- 
fore until half an hour has passed, when time is 
called, and the child with the biggest score receives 
a prize. 

The next game is a lively one— Spider Web. 
From the hall lamp or from the claws of a huge 
paper spider suspended in the hall hang as many 
ends of colored twine as there are children. Each 
child is given one and told to follow the string until 
he comes to the end, winding it as he goes. Around 
table-legs, over doors, in and out through the ban- 
isters, upstairs and down they go, until each child 
has found, at the end of his string, an egg in which 
is a small gift. 

After this lively race a restful game will be ap- 



42 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 



predated. This is Koyal Lady. When the chil- 
dren are all seated in a ring one child begins by 
^^^.^^^^ saying to the player on his right^ ^^Good 
/^^?0^ evening, Eoyal Lady (or Gentleman), 
A^^^*^^^3 I, a Eoyal Gentleman, come from a 
^^^^^^^ Eoyal Lady to say that I have a 
^^J^^L monkey with pink eyes." Each in 
^'^^^^^^^jv^ turn repeats this form of ad- 
dress, varying ^'*'*^^v:^-v^^ it only as they speak to 
a girl or boy, and ^^^n:^;;;^. each adds some- 
thing to further describe ^'^^^:::^n. the monkey. 
The first child who omits any part ^^^^^^;^ ^ f the 
description or makes a mistake must wear a 
paper horn and be addressed as One-horned Gentle- 
man or Lady, as the case may be. When the game 
flags, if there is a child who has not received a horn 
he is the winner and may be crowned with a gilt 
paper emblem of royalty. Supper is then an- 
nounced. Suggestions for the menu will be found in 
Chapter VIIL 



MAY 
INDOOE AND OUTDOOR GAMES 



MATEEIALS KEQUIEBD 

INDOOR PROGRAM 

Flower Hunt : As many baskets as children ; five 
pounds of candy, preferably buttercups ; ten dozen motto- 
papers. 

Spring Flowers : As many wreaths of paper flowers as 
children. 

May-poleDance : A May-pole with streamers of cheese- 
cloth in pale rainbow colors ; several gift baskets (see 
Chapter VII). 

OUT-OF-DOOR PROGRAM 

As many white cards as girls ; as many green cards as 
boys ; a piece of No. 1 white ribbon ; a piece of No. 1 green 
ribbon ; as many wreaths of green leaves as girls ; two 
wreaths of flowers ; a May-pole with streamers of cheese- 
cloth in pale rainbow colors ; a small rubber ball. 

Number of Children, not over 30 
Ages, 4 to 12 



MAY 
mDOOE AND OUTDOOE GAMES 

It not infrequently happens that the weather does 
not keep pace with the calendar, and instead of balmy 
spring days in May we sometimes have cold rains 
or blustery winds that suggest March or November. 
Suppose, then, we prepare a program of indoor 
games as well as one for an out-of-door May 
Party. 

Each child, as he arrives, is given a dainty little 
May basket with a bow on the handle. When all 
have come they are invited into a larger room in 
which they are to hunt for flowers. These are gaily 
colored motto-papers in each of which is wrapped 
a buttercup or other simple sweet. They are hidden 
in most unexpected places, in the folds of portieres, 
on picture -frames— wherever there is room for one 

45 



46 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



to rest. As soon as the baskets are filled the chil- 
dren return to the room where they were received. 
Here the Wood Fairy (a mother, governess, or 
friend, who may be in appropriate costume) is 
waiting to crown them with wreaths of spring 

flowers. Each child is 
then called by the 
name of the flower 
which is woven into his 
wreath. These names 
are retained through 
the afternoon. 

Bouquet, a story on 
the same principle as 
stage-coach, but deal- 
ing with woods and 
fairy rings and flowers, 
- is told by the Wood 
Fairy, who brings in 
the flower name of each child. At the word ^^ bou- 
quet '' all change places. The older children, with 
the younger ones as audience, dance around the 
May-pole, holding gay streamers of cheese-cloth in 
rainbow colors. They sing some little song with 
which all are familiar— for example, ^^In and Out 




SPRIISrGTIME PAETIES 47 

the Window/' which^ if slightly altered as follows, 
will be appropriate. 

Round and round the May-pole, round and round the 
May-pole, 

Round and round the May-pole, as you have done before; 
In and out the window, in and out the window, 

In and out the window, as you have done before. 

The next game is one that large and small will be 
able to play and all will enjoy. It is called Going 
A- Fishing. Chairs are arranged as for Going to Je- 
rusalem, in two rows back to back. The number of 
chairs is one short of the number of children. Each 
child is named after some article that one would 
take or have to do with on a fishing-trip. The 
child who is chosen or counted out tells the story of 
his adventures when going a-fishing, bringing in the 
name of each player. As his name is spoken each 
child must rise and, taking hold of the dress or coat 
of the player ahead, follow the leader around the 
chairs. The line goes faster and faster until, as the 
last player rises, they are running around the chairs. 
When the leader, in the course of the story, calls out 
that he has a "bite,'' the line breaks, all run for 
seats, and the player left out must act as story-teller 
the next time. 



48 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

If there are many children supper is served at 
small tables, which have, as centerpieces, gift baskets 
of flowers (see Chapter VII). An appropriate menu 
is given in Chapter VIII. 

If the party is given on May-day of course there 
must be a Queen of the May and a King. The fol- 
lowing plan is adopted for choosing them : As many 
green cards as there are boys are provided, and as 
many white cards as girls. The name of a tree is 
written on each green card, except one on which 
appears simply a golden crown. The white cards 
bear the names of flowers, with one upon which is 
drawn a small gold crown. Through every white 
card is tied a loop of narrow ribbon in a shade of the 
color of the flower, while all the green cards have 
green ribbon. The royal cards have green and white 
ribbons respectively. The cards are turned face 
downward on a tray, and each girl as she arrives takes 
a white one, while the boys each draw a green. The 
boy and the girl who draw the royal cards become 
King and Queen of the May, and are duly crowned 
with wreaths of flowers by the hostess or by some one 
impersonating the Wood Fairy, who may afterward 
direct the games. As natural flowers are not readily 
obtained, the little girls may wear each a wreath of 



SPEINGTIME PAETIES 49 

green leaves, smilax, or fern, while tlie boys tie their 
cards in their buttonholes. 

The May-pole should be set up out of doors, and 
the dance will be spirited and gay in the spring 
sunshine. 

Some quaint old English games are then played. 
One of these, Stag-a-laggle, is as follows : All the 
children scatter as for blind-man's-buff, one being 
the stag, who has to run until he catches one of the 
others. The two then join hands and run until they 
catch a third child and a fourth. So the game goes 
on until all are caught and form a long line winding 
about the green. 

The next game is better suited to girls than boys. 
It is called Lady Queen Anne. Two children 
choose sides. One row, the Queen and her 
court, remain standing or are seated. The others 
advance, holding their skirts gathered up. One has 
a ball hidden in hers, the others only pretend to 
have it. All repeat : 

" Lady Queen Anne she sits in the sun, 
As fair as a lily, as white as a swan ; 
King John has sent you letters three. 
And begs you '11 read one unto me." 

The Queen and her court reply : 



50 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

" We cannot read one unless we read all, 
So pray Miss Alice [naming one of the other row] de- 
liver the ball." 

If the Queen's guess is right, the two rows change 

sides and the Queen becomes one of those who hold 

the ball. Otherwise the children who have the ball 

say: 

'' The ball is mine, it is not thine, 
So you, proud Queen, sit still on your throne, 
While we poor gipsies go and come." 

And they retire a short distance before coming again 
to repeat the first rhyme. 

The next game, Nuts in May, is played as follows : 
The children form in two rows facing each other, 
and a line is drawn on the ground between them. 
The first row advance hand in hand and singing : 

** Here we come gathering nuts in May, nuts in May, nuts 
in May, 
Here we come gathering nuts in May, 
On a cold and frosty morning. 

The second row advance, replying : 

*' Pray who will you gather for nuts in May, nuts in May, 
nuts in May ? 
Pray who will you gather for nuts in May, 
On a cold and frosty morning?" 



SPRINGTIME PARTIES 51 

The first row answer : 

*' We '11 gather Edith for nuts in May, nuts in May, nuts 
in May ; 
We '11 gather Edith for nuts in May, 
On a cold and frosty morning." 

The second row sing : 

''Pray who will you send to fetch her away, fetch her 
away, fetch her away? 
Pray who will you send to fetch her away, 
On a cold and frosty morning ? " 

The first row reply : 

" We will send Sally to fetch her away, fetch her away, 
fetch her away ; 
We will send Sally to fetch her away. 
On a cold and frosty morning." 

Edith and Sally, with right hands clasped, strive to 
draw each other across the line. The one who is 
pulled over must join her opponent's row, and the 
game goes on. 

By the time the children tire of this game, supper 
may be served— indoors, unless the weather is unusu- 
ally warm. 



CHAPTEE III 

OUT-OF-DOOR PARTIES FOR SUMMER 




JUNE: JULY 
: AUGUST : 



JUNE 
A KOSE PAKTY 



MATEKIALS REQUIKED 



Butterfly Chase : As many paper butterflies as girls ; 
as many butterfly-nets as boys. 

Rose-petals : As many paper roses as players ; as many 
sets of printed slips as children ; as many cards and pencils 
as children ; a prize. 

HiDE-AND-GO-SEEK : As many rose horns as children. 

Soap-bubbles : Several bowls of soap and water ; as 
many clay pipes as children, and a few over in case of 
accident ; two or three prizes ; a roseball full of gifts. 

Number of Children^ 15 to 30 
Ages^ 10 to 15 



JUKE 
A EOSE PAKTY 



HAPPY is the child whose birthday comes in 
June. The day is almost sure to be fair and 
not too warm and the air sweet with 
the fragrance of June roses. Daisies 
and clover make a natural decora- 
tion, and flower-laden shrubs a back- 
ground for merry groups of children. 
Each little girl as she arrives re- 
ceives a butterfly fashioned of crepe 
paper, poised on a wire stem about 
two feet long (see Chapter VII). Each 
boy receives a butterfly-net. Two lines 
are marked off about thirty feet apart, or a 
wide space between trees may be chosen. The 
girls stand just beyond the limits on one side ; 

57 




58 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN^S PAKTIES 



the boys take a like position on the other. Neither 

may cross into the other's 
territory, but in the space 
between both may run 
and dodge. The girls 
hold the butterflies, which 
sway and swing at the end 
of their wire stems, and 
the boys try to catch 
them in their nets. As 
each girPs butterfly is 
caught, she is out of the 
game, and when all are 
captured the sport is over. 

A restful game comes next. This is Eose-petals. 
Every child receives a large paper rose (see Chapter 
VII), and a card and pencil. The hostess explains 
that on the petals of each rose the players will find 
the name of a flower with the letters mixed. Each 
name is distinguished by a number. The cards also 
are numbered down the left side, and as a player 
succeeds in rearranging the letters of a slip so as 
to spell the name of a flower, he writes that name 
on his card opposite the corresponding number. 
Twenty minutes are allowed. The bell rings at 




OUT-OF DOOE PARTIES FOR SUMMER 59 

the end of that time, the correct list is read^ and the 
player who has found the 
most names receives a prize. 

After all this brainwork a 
romp will be welcome. Hide- 
and-go-seek is always popu- 
lar, and the following varia- 
tion will make it picturesque as well. 
After counting out to decide who is 
to be "it/' each of the players receives 
a small tin horn which has been dec- 
orated to represent a rose on a stem 
(see Chapter VII). When they 
are all hidden the children blow 
their horns to notify the one who 
is " it '' that they are ready and the 
game goes on. When the children tire of Hide-and- 
go-seek, they will find a table under the trees with 
preparations for Soap-bubbles. One large bowl, or 
a number of smaller ones, holds the soap and water, 
and the pipes tied with rose-colored ribbons lend a 
festive air to the game. Prizes may be given to the 
child who blows the largest bubble, to the one whose 
bubble lasts longest, and to the one who makes the 
most bubbles with one dip of the pipe. 

4 




60 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN^S PAETIES 

An umpire, who may be the hostess or some other 
older person, will be needed in these contests. Sides 
may be chosen and lined up facing each other, and 
at a given signal they contest for the prizes. Then 
one team on either side of a tennis-net plays against 
the other. Both teams try to blow their own bubbles 
into the opposite court and to prevent their oppo- 
nents' bubbles from coming into their court. Every 
bubble that floats over in this way counts fifteen 
points for the team which blew it. The girls may 
make the bubbles, while the boys stand at the net to 
blow them across and prevent their opponents' bub- 
bles from coming over. Attractive prizes for this 
game are bonbon-boxes, each of which is hidden 
under the petals of a large pink rose made of tissue 
paper, with a little bisque face where the heart of 
the rose should be (see Chapter VII). If there is 
time for another game before supper, croquet or 
tether-ball will furnish amusement. 

An appropriate menu will be found in Chapter 
VIII. The gifts are drawn by pink and white rib- 
bons from a huge ball covered with rose-pink petals 
(see Chapter VII). 



JULY 
A FOURTH OF JULY PAETY 



MATERIALS REQUIRED 



Flag Tag : Two small American flags ; half as many 
small silk flags as players. 

Liberty Bell : A large dinner-bell ; a hard rubber ball ; 
as many small bells on loops of red, white, and blue ribbon 
as players. 

Torpedo Hunt : Twelve packages of torpedoes ; as 
many belts with cartridge-bags attached as children. 

Our Flag: As many cards 8x12 inches (on each of 
which is painted an American flag without stars) as chil- 
dren ; a box of silver stars, gummed on the back ; a prize ; 
a Jack Horner pie with red, white, and blue decorations. 

Number of Children, not over 25 
Ages, 6 to 10 



JULY 
A FOUETH OF JULY PAKTY 



Under the trees or on a broad, shaded piazza will 
be a delightful place to entertain a party of children 
on the afternoon of July 4. There are innumer- 
able possibilities in the way of decorations and favors 
in red, white, and blue, and the hostess who objects 
to gunpowder may provide harmless imitations of 
firecrackers, holding nothing more deadly than 
chocolate or bonbons. 

When all the children have arrived, two leaders 
are chosen, who in turn choose sides. A line is 
marked off on the playground, and on each side of it 
at equal distances (twelve feet or more from the line) 
a small American flag is stuck into the ground. 

These flags the leaders guard. The object of the 
players on each side is to seize their opponents' flag. 

65 



66 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

The leaders may prevent this by ^' tagging '' any one 
who comes dangerously near, and the child thus 
" tagged '' is out of the game. When by dodging 
and running a player finally seizes a flag and carries 
it over the line into his own territory^ the game is 
won and the players on his side each receive a small 
silk flag as a prize. 

After this romp comes a piazza game called Liberty 
Bell. A large bell is suspended from the ceiling by 
a red, white, and blue cord or ribbon at about two 
inches from the floor. If the bell should somewhat 
resemble the old Liberty Bell, so much the better. 
A chalk mark is made on the floor at about ten feet 
from the bell, and each player in turn rolls a ball, 
aiming to ring the bell. Every child who succeeds 
is decorated with a tiny bell hung on a loop of red, 
white, and blue ribbon. 

Going to Jerusalem comes next, the children 
marching to a medley of patriotic airs ; and when 
this old favorite ceases to call forth enthusiasm all 
will be ready for a Torpedo Hunt. The hos- 
tess having previously opened and hidden, in unex- 
pected places, twelve packages of torpedoes, each 
child receives a belt from which hangs a little 
cartridge-bag made of khaki or duck (see Chapter 



OUT-OF-DOOE PARTIES FOE SUMMER 67 

VII), and is told of the hidden torpedoes. When 
frtei low limbs of trees, among the roots of shrubs 
and ledges of the piazza, the treasures have been 
gathered and subsequently fired off, a quiet game is 
in order. This is Our Flag. Cards are provided 
beforehand upon which are drawn and colored large 
American flags, lacking only the stars. These, the 
hostess announces, are to be stuck on by the children. 
Every player receives forty-five stars, and in a given 
time, say five minutes, tries to insert as many as he 
can on the blue field of his flag. A bell is rung, the 
children count their stars, and the one who has the 
most on his flag is the winner and receives a prize. 
By this time the children will be hungry enough to 
do justice to the supper (see Chapter VIII). The 
gifts may be hidden in a Jack Horner pie with 
decorations of red, white, and blue (see Chapter VII). 



AUGUST 
A BEACH PARTY 



MATERIALS REQUIRED 



Bean-bag : A Bean-bag. 

Sand Forts : As many pails and shovels as children ; 
a prize. 

Number of Children, 25 



Ages, 8 to 14 
Hours, from 3 until 6 



AUGUST 
A BEACH PARTY 



In August a picnic party on the beach may be 
planned ; not an elaborate affair, but a simple frolic 
such as all children enjoy. 

Invitations written on cards cut and decorated to 
look like clam-shells will be appropriate. 

If it is possible to arrange to have the children 
take a dip in the ocean, 
they may be asked to bring 
their bathing-suits. Those 
who do not care to go in 
may wade in shallow pools 
or dig in the sand until 
the bathers are dressed and 
ready to sit around the hostess, who reads from 
^^ Water Babies'' or tells a short story. By the time 

71 




72 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

the sun and wind have dried the children's hair 
they will be ready to play. 

Bean-Bag : All stand in line, and one who is the 
leader throws the bean -bag to the child at the head 
of the line, who throws it back. Should the player 
at the head fail to catch it, he must go to the foot of 
the line, and if the leader misses, he goes to the foot, 
and the player at the head takes his place. 

A game called Fisherman follows, which is much 
more lively than its name would imply. Two lines 
are marked off across the beach about twenty-five 
feet apart, and the children count out to see who is 
to be fisherman. The child thus chosen stands be- 
tween the boundaries, while all the others are 
grouped just beyond a boundary on one side. He 
repeats the following rhyme : 

" Swim, little fishes, from the river to the sea ! 
Swim, little fishes, —one— two— three ! '' 

At the word ^^ three'' all the children, or fishes, 
must run across his territory to the land beyond the 
opposite boundary line, and he catches as many as 
he can. Those who are caught become fishermen 
and help him catch more fish. The game goes on as 
before, the leader repeating the rhyme each time. 



OUT-OF-DOOE PARTIES FOR SUMMER 75 

until all the fishes are caught, when the players will 
be glad to settle down for a few minutes to the more 
restful game of Chinese Fans. The children sit in a 
row on the sand. The first one says to the next 
player, ^^A ship has come from China.'' The second 
child asks: ^^What did it bring?'' First child: 
"One fan!" As he says this, he waves his right 
hand to and fro as if fanning himself. The second 
answers the questions asked by the third player in 
the same way, and so on until all are fanning them- 
selves with their right hands. The first child then 
says: "A ship has come from China "5 and when 
asked what it brought, replies, "Two fans!" and 
waves both hands. The next time around the 
answer is "Three fans ! " as both hands and right 
foot are waved. "Four fans" calls into play both 
hands and both feet. "Five fans " is both hands, feet, 
and head. "Six fans" is hands, feet, head, and 
whole body lifted. 

If there is time for another game before supper, a 
prize may be offered for the best sand fort or castle. 
Pails and shovels come into use, and soon there will 
be a goodly array of sand architecture. A small 
silk flag will reward the successful builder, and it 
may be mounted on his fort or castle, there to re- 



76 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

main till the party is over. Suggestions for a pic- 
nic supper will be found in Chapter VIII. 

A centerpiece of clams and seaweed, which is left 
untouched until after supper, proves to be the hiding- 
place of treasures. Each child receives a clam-shell 
and finds therein a tiny gift. 



CHAPTER lY 

AUTUMN PAETIES 




SEPTEMBER : OCTOBEE 
: NOVEMBER : 



SEPTBMBEK 
IN THE MOUNTAINS 



MATEKIALS REQUIEED 



Traveler's Whist : A pad and pencil for each wagon. 

Battledore and Shuttlecock : Two battledores and 
a shuttlecock. 

Number of Children, 12 to 15 
Ages, 10 to 15 



SEPTEMBEE 
IN THE MOUNTAINS 



ON a September day a delightful drive in moun- 
tain-wagons may be arranged, the objective 
point being either a lake or woods, where the chil- 
dren can play games and have a picnic supper, or an 
attractive inn, where supper may be ordered before- 
hand. 

As it is inconvenient, on a party of this kind, to 
carry the little favors that children delight in, the 
invitations should be in especially festive form. For 
example : they may be written on birch bark, rolled, 
and tied with ribbons. 

If there is to be a picnic supper the hostess will 

pack a hamper with the simple but delicious menu 

suggested in Chapter VIII. When the gay little 

party is fairly started on the drive, a game called 

^ 81 



82 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

Traveler's Whist is begun. One person in each 
wagon is chosen umpire^ the rest are divided into 
two parties. All those on the right belong to one 
party and those on the left to the other. The game 
is played as follows : The players on each side watch 
out for every man, woman, child, or animal on their 
side of the road. Each white person seen counts 1, 
each colored person 2, a white horse 10, a black cat 
25, a cat in the window 100, and every other animal 
5. As a player on the right sees a hen, for example, 
he calls out, ^^ Right, 5 ! " and the umpire credits the 
right side with five points. If the drive is a long 
one the game should be 500 ; but if it is compara- 
tively short 300 will be the limit. When the party 
reaches its destination the children will be glad to 
run about awhile, and there are so many fine places 
to hide in the woods that a game of Beware the 
Bear will be thoroughly enjoyed. One child, who 
is chosen Bear by counting out, hides while the 
rest stay near the goal. When they have counted 
^^50 by ones'' or ^^500 by fives," they all go to look 
for the Bear. The child who finds him cries, "Be- 
ware the Bear ! " to let the others know, and they 
all run for the goal. If he catches one or more be- 
fore they reach the goal, they become Bears and 



AUTUMN PAETIES 83 

must hide next time with him. The game goes on 
until all are Bears. 

This is followed by a quiet game— Birds Fly. One 
child is chosen leader^ the others sit around in a 
semicircle on fallen trees or on the ground. The 
leader stands in front of the others, holds up his 
hands, and says, ^^ Swallows fly.'' The other children 
all raise their hands. If, however, the leader says, 
^^Dogs fly'' or ^^Cats fly," something obviously im- 
possible, and raises his hands, the players must not 
raise theirs. If any one does so he or she must pay 
a forfeit. After the forfeits have been redeemed, 
sides are chosen for Battledore and Shuttlecock. 
A line is marked off in a clearing, and on either side 
of it stands a player from each team who has been 
chosen champion. These two play battledore and 
shuttlecock back and forth across the line until one 
player fails to hit the shuttlecock. The one who has 
missed yields his battledore to another player of the 
same side and becomes his opponents' prisoner. The 
game goes on until all of one team have been taken 
prisoners, or, if this makes it last too long, it may end 
at any time, and the team having the greatest num- 
ber of prisoners has won. 

The children then form a circle to play Animals. 



84 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

One who is blindfolded stands in the middle, a 
long switch in his hand. The players circle around 
him hand in hand until he cries ^^Stop ! '' and 
touches with his wand a player, who must hold the 
wand and imitate the cry of some animal. The 
Blindman may ask him to repeat this cry three 
times, and if he cannot guess the name of the child 
the game goes on. Should he guess who the child 
is, however, they change places, the player guessed 
becoming Blindman. By this time the children 
will have keen appetites for the picnic supper 
which is spread under the trees. Asters and golden- 
rod make appropriate and charming table deco- 
rations. 



OCTOBEE 
HALLOWE'EN FEOLIC 



MATEKIALS REQUIEED 

Black Cat : A large sheet on which is painted a tailless 
black cat ; as many black tails as children ; two prizes. 

Squirrel Hunt : Five quarts of peanuts ; as many small 
bags or baskets as children. 

Tossing Chestnuts : Ten chestnuts for each child ; a 
bowl-shaped basket. 

Peanut Tournament : Two and a half quarts of pea- 
nuts ; seven or eight bonbon-tongs ; a large papier-mache 
peanut filled with bonbons. 

Hallowe'en Charms : As many apples as children ; a 
large tub of water ; as many prophecies as children, 
wrapped in tin-foil ; three candles ; a mold of flour in 
fancy form ; a ring ; a Jack-o'-lantern full of gifts. 

Number of Children, 20 to 30 
Ages, 8 to 12 



OCTOBEE 
HALLOWE'EN FROLIC 

Children from eight to twelve years will enjoy 
a Hallowe^en frolic on the evening of October 31. 
Field corn, strung cranberries, and autumn leaves 
may be used effectively in decorating the rooms, 
and lights in Jack-o'-lanterns give the finishing 
touch of weirdness. 

As the guests arrive each receives a black cat's 
tail (painted on cotton) at the large end of which is 
a pin. These are to be pinned as nearly as possible 
where they belong on a huge black cat which is 
painted on a sheet hung at one end of the room. 
Each child in turn is blindfolded and tries to pin his 
tail on the black cat's portrait. The girl who comes 
nearest to pinning a tail where it should go may re- 
ceive as a prize a little doll dressed as a witch, while 

87 



88 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

the boy who comes nearest wins a ghost (see Chapter 
VII). 

Squirrel Hunt : Before the guests arrive nuts 
should be hidden by the hostess in every conceiv- 
able placCj high and low, in 
folds of curtains, on window- 
ledges, in flower-pots— 
wherever one can be 
tucked away. Each child 
receives a 
small bag or 
basket in 
which to gather the 
nuts, and after the 
hunt all sit around the 
open fire and crack and 
eat them while the hostess starts 
a Patchwork Story. This may be a 
ghost story, which is carried along to an 
exciting point, when the hostess stops and the player 
on her right tells some more. He also stops at an 
interesting place and his neighbor on the right con- 
tinues the story. 

The next game is Tossing Chestnuts. A bowl- 
shaped basket about nine inches in diameter is 




AUTUMN PAETIES 



89 



placed at one end of the room. Each child receives 
ten chestnuts, and standing eight feet from the basket 
tries to throw them, one at a time, into it. The 
score is kept by the hostess, 
and the child who has suc- 
ceeded in tossing the greatest 
number of chestnuts into the 
basket wins. 

Peanut Tournament : The 
children now take seats around 
small tables — four at each. 
A large bowl of peanuts is 
brought in and a cupful is 
piled in the middle of each 
table. A small pair of bonbon- 
tongs, such as may be bought at 
a confectioner's, is provided 
for every table. The children 
try in turn to take off a peanut at a time without 
stirring the other nuts. If a player succeeds he 
may have another chance and another until he fails, 
when the turn passes to the child on the left. At 
the end of twenty minutes a bell is rung, and the 
player at each table having the most peanuts wins. 
The winners at the different tables play another 




90 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PAETIES 

round, and, if necessary, still another round is 
played until there is but one winner, who well 
deserves the prize — a huge x)ai)ier-mache peanut 
filled with bonbons. 

Hallowe'en Charms that are merry rather than 
mystic are chosen as being more adapted to youthful 
players. 

Firstcomes the time-honored Bobbing for Apples, 
which is too well known to require description. Then 
Snapdragon, varied by substituting for the raisins 
amid burning alcohol, bits of tin-foil in which are 
wrapped folded slips of paper, each with a prophecy 
written upon it. These should be placed in a tin or 
earthen dish and covered with water. The alcohol 
is then poured down the side of the dish, gently so 
that it will float on the water instead of mixing with 
it. 

A ring is hung from the chandelier at a con- 
venient distance from the floor, and each child in 
turn walks directly up to the ring and, without 
hesitating a moment, tries to run a pencil through 
it. This is more difficult than it sounds. 

I^ext three candles are lighted and set near a win- 
dow. Three children at a time stand in front of the 
candles and each makes a wish. The window is 



ATJTUMlvJ^ PAETIES 93 

tlieii opened, and if one or more of the candles 
remains lighted for one minute the child who 
stood opposite that candle may feel sure that her 
wish will come true. This is repeated until all the 
children have wished. The flour charm comes next. 
A mold of flour in fancy form has hidden within it 
a gold ring, and each child in turn cuts off a slice. 
The one in whose slice the ring comes must remove 
it with his teeth. Supper, which follows, is served to 
the children as they sit on cushions around the 
dining-room. A menu which is especially appropri- 
ate for Hallowe'en will be found in Chapter VIII. 
The gifts are drawn from the depths of a huge Jack- 
o'-lantern (see Chapter VII). 



NOVEMBEK 
A FAMILY PARTY 



MATERIALS REQUIRED 



Vegetable Race : Onedozen vegetables— beets, carrots, 
turnips, and potatoes ; two dessert-spoons ; two basket- 
trays ; a prize. 

Chrysanthemum : A prize paper chrysanthemum, on 
the petals of which are pasted slips of paper ; as many 
cards and yellow pencils as players ; a bunch of chrysan- 
themums. 

Parcels Post : As many toys as players, all very dif- 
ferent in shape and size, and wrapped in pumpkin-colored 
paper ; as many tiny burlap sacks as players ; fifty kernels 
of field corn for each player. 



NOYEMBEE 
A FAMILY PARTY 



After Thanksgiving dinner, when old and yonng 
are in the mood to be entertained, the hostess may 
find the games described here useful. 

When the children of the party show signs of 
restlessness it is quite time to start in with the 
Vegetable Eace. Two rows of vegetables are 
laid about six feet apart. In each row half a dozen 
assorted vegetables— carrots, beets, turnips, and pota- 
toes—are placed a foot and a half apart. At the 
far end of each line is a large basket-tray. Two 
players at a time start, each at the near end of a 
row, and try with a dessert-spoon to lift one vege- 
table at a time and carry it to the basket. The one 
who finishes first wins, and is qualified to play in the 
second round. The winners in the first round play 

97 



98 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

against each other in the second^ and when there is 
bnt one j)layer nndefeated, he is entitled to the 
prize— a natural -looking beet or carrot made of 
papier-mache and full of bonbons. 

Next comes Hunt the Squirrel. The players 
form a huge ring, and one who is the Hunter walks 
around outside it, chanting : 

'* Hunt the squirrel through the wood, 

I lost him, I found him ! 
Hunt the squirrel through the wood, 

I lost liim, I found him ! 
Hunt the squirrel through the wood, 

I lost him, I found him ! 
I won't catch you and I won't catch you, 

But I mill catch you ! '' 

As he says this he touches one player and starts to 
run around the circle. The player touched must 
run in the other direction, and the first one who 
reaches the gap in the circle joins hands with the 
players to right and left, while the one left out be- 
comes Hunter and goes around the circle chanting, 
^^Hunt the Squirrel,'^ etc. After such a romp a 
quiet game will be appreciated. 

Chrysanthemum is played in the same way as 
Rose-petals (see Chapter II), except that there is 



AUTUMN PARTIES 



99 



but one large flower^ a golden-yellow clirysantliemnm. 

The crysanthemum is passed 

around^ and each player pulls 

a petal, on which he finds a <S^ 

printed slip bearing the name C^^ 

of a flower with the letters 

much mixed. As soon as he 

has rearranged the letters so as 

to spell a name, he writes it 

on his card. He may then draw 

another petal. The game ends when 

there are no more petals to pull, and the 

player who has guessed the most names 

receives a bunch of chrysanthemums. 

Two leaders are then chosen, who in turn 
choose sides for Parcels Post. The iDarties form 
lines facing each other, a leader at one end of each 
line. Beside him in a clothes-basket are parcels large 
and parcels small, parcels heavy and parcels light, and 
many that are irregular in shape, all wrapped in 
pumpkin-colored paper. There should be an equal 
number of parcels for each side. At a signal each 
leader takes a parcel from the basket, passes it to the 
player next him, and one after another as quickly as 
possible they are taken from the basket and passed 




LcfC. 



100 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

along the line. If anything is dropped it must travel 
all the way back to the leader and start again. The 
player next to the chair must pile the parcels on it as 
they come to him, without letting one fall, and when 
they have all reached him he starts them back to the 
leader, one at a time, as fast as he can. The side 
which gets the parcels back in its basket first has 
won. 

The sequel to Parcels Post is Auction. Each 
person receives a small burlap sack containing fifty 
kernels of field corn, by way of money. Needless to 
say, the auctioneer is chosen for his ready wit, and 
may be an uncle or cousin or the host himself. The 
bidding begins when everybody is seated, and when 
all the parcels have been auctioned off the game is 
over. 

Next comes Family Gossip. One person goes out 
of the room, and the hostess asks each of the remain- 
ing players to say something about him. This she 
writes down on a piece of paper with the name of 
the person who said it. AVhen the player returns 
the hostess says : ^^Some one says you have the family 
nose ! '' If he can guess who the person was who 
said it, that player must go out of the room the next 
time and be the target for family criticism. 



AUTUMK PARTIES 101 

When this game flags, the hostess appoints two 
leaders who choose sides for Dumb Crambo. A de- 
scription of this old favorite is hardly necessary. One 
side chooses a word to act inpantomimCj and the other 
players who form the andience are told what it rhymes 
with. For example : The word chosen is ^^sloop '' and 
the actors tell the other side that it rhymes with 
^^troop.'' The attic is ransacked for qneer old cos- 
tumes, shawls, ancient bonnets and parasols, and the 
nursery for toys that may help. If the audience 
guesses the word acted the actors must give another 
pantomime ; but if they fail to guess they are told 
what the word was and they become actors, while 
the other side forms the audience. A light supper 
follows, the menu for which will be found in Chap- 
ter VIII. 



CHAPTER V 










SUPPLEMENTAEY PARTIES AND GAMES 



CHAPTER Y 
SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 



THESE parties are^ with one exception, suited to 
any season of the year and may be substituted 
for any of the foregoing programs. 

INDIAN PARTY 

Although this party is arranged for a private 
house, it may, with slight alterations, be successfully 
given at a mountain camp or inn. Invitations printed 
on birch bark with a pyrographic pen are sent to 
the children, asking them to come to the tepee on 
the young host's lawn, in Indian costume, on a cer- 
tain day. On that occasion they will be received by 
a small Hiawatha gay in war-paint, fringed chamois 
leggings, moccasins, and a feather head-dress. The 
costumes need not be at all elaborate or costly. Two 

105 



106 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

medium-sized pieces of cliamois-skiii make capital 
leggings, buttoned with black buttons, the edges cut 
into a fringe. The shirts and breeches of the boys, 
and the girls' skirts, may be of khaki, and chicken- 
feathers on a band of red flannel make a realistic 
liead-dress. Moccasins of chamois may be easily 
made if one cannot buy or borrow a pair of genuine 
beaded ones. 

Materials Rcqidrcd 

A CANVAS tent ; several Indian blankets ; as many birch- 
bark invitations as children ; a bow and arrows ; a prize. 
Basket-weaving Contest : As many lengths of No. 4 rat- 
tan as children ; six weavers of No. 2 rattan for each child ; 
as many weavers of colored No. 2 rattan as children ; a bowl 
of water ; several pairs of scissors ; a tape-measure ; two 
prizes. Necklace-making : Several small boxes of beads, 
needles, and linen thread. Ball Game : A ball. Picture- 
writing : As many printed cards as children ; as many 
blank cards and pencils as children ; a prize. Gift Bas- 
ket : An Indian basket full of tiny favors, each tied to the 
stem of a scarlet or yellow poppy. 
Number of Children, not over 25. Ages, 8 to 12. 

The games will be especially appropriate : races, 
shooting at a mark with bow and arrows, and a 
basket-weaving contest ; the prizes, an Indian basket 
for the boy who makes the strongest basket, and an 



SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 



107 



Indian doll in a papoose-carrier for the girl who 
weaves the prettiest one. While the boys are 
enjoying a game of ball the girls may make bead 
necklaces. They will then unite in a game called 
Picture-writing. On as many cards as there are 
children a story or extract from ^^ Hiawatha'^ is 
printed^ using in place of the nouns simple drawings 
of the persons or things spoken of. For example the 
following from ^^ Hiawatha and Mudjekeewis '' : 



From his 




went 




Dressed for travel, armed for hunting ; 



Dressed in deerskin 



Richly wrought with 



On his head his 




108 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



Round his v/aiat his 




<Avfr' 



In his hand his 



of ash-wood, 



Strung with 







of the 





In his \rS oaken 



Tipped with jasper, winged with 



^^ 




>. if 



With his if^X^C \^'§ , Minjekahwun, 



With his ||i|^ lit ■; enchanted, 



®» 



SUPPLEMENTARY PAETIES 109 

Eacli child receives^ besides one of these cards, a 
blank card with a pencil attached. On this he writes 
the poem, substituting words for the pictures. All 
must have finished in twenty minutes. A bell is rung, 
the cards are collected, and the child who has written 
the correct version receives a prize. For example : 
A box of birch bark, worked with porcupine quills, 
and full of sweets. If more than one succeeds in 
correcting the story perfectly, the cards should be 
judged for neatness and legibility. At supper the 
children sit around on Navajo blankets spread on the 
grass. Any one of the menus in Chapter VIII may 
be provided. 

The gifts, which are simple bits of pottery, birch- 
bark canoes, and other toys, purchasable at an Indian 
shop, each tied to a red or yellow tissue-paper poppy, 
are drawn from a bowl-shaped Indian basket, with 
ribbons of yellow for the girls and red for the boys. 

COUNTRY CIRCUS 

A Country Circus will not be difficult to arrange, 
and will be great fun. With the invitations to the 
party at which it is to be given, a ticket may be sent 
to each child, admitting him to a country circus at 
three o'clock, at the house of Mrs. Blank. Hand- 



110 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

made posters of flaming colors and extravagant word- 
ing should decorate the room where the children are 
received. 

Materials Required 

As many tickets as children ; two pieces of canvas long 
enough and wide enough to fill a doorway ; a strip of 
pasteboard long enough to reach around a circular dining- 
table and eight inches wide, painted the color of the table ; 
several paper-fasteners ; twelve or more performing-animal 
toys ; as many small bags of peanuts as children ; pink 
lemonade ; a round red toy balloon with a knotted covering 
of sewing-silk, ^o the ends of which a light paper car is 
attached ; a pretty paper doll. 
Number of Children, 20 to 30. Ages, 5 to 10. 

When all the children have arrived, they flock to 
the circus through a doorway which is hung with a 
pair of canvas curtains made to look as much as pos- 
sible like a tent-flap. Inside is a large round table 
at one end of the room, and in a semicircle about it 
are rows of chairs. The table should have a guard- 
rail around it, made of a long strip of pasteboard, 
extending about four inches above the surface of the 
table and four inches below it, held together with 
paper-fasteners and painted to represent a fence. 
This is to prevent the animals from precipitating 
themselves into the crowd, for they are such wild 



SUPPLEMEl^TAEY PARTIES 111 

beasts as go by clockwork and are sold by venders 
on tlie sidewalks of city streets. The hostess or an 
aunt or governess may act as ring-master, winding 
up the animals, and playing the part as amusingly 
as possible. Eefreshing pink lemonade and bags of 
peanuts may be passed at not too frequent intervals. 
The grand finale will be a balloon ascension. A light 
car of rice-paper is made and attached to a round 
toy balloon by the ends of a knotted covering of 
sewing-silk which incloses the balloon. In this car 
Mademoiselle Caramel (a beautiful paper doll) is 
seated. The window is opened, the string that holds 
the balloon cut, and off it floats ! 

MECHANICS' FAIR 

A novel and interesting plan for a children's party 
is to have a Mechanics' Fair. It may be given at 
home or on the broad piazza of a summer hotel. 

Materials Bequired 

As many cards as children. Tailor : A piece of cloth ; 
scissors; needle, thread, and thimble. Dressmaker: A 
piece of bright-colored cloth or silk ; scissors ; needle, 
thread, and thimble. Basket-maker : One length of No. 
4 rattan ; six weavers of No. 2 rattan ; scissors ; a bowl 



112 THE BOOK OF CHILDKEN'S PAETIES 

of water. Upholsterer : A doll's chair or sofa with a 
wooden seat ; some cotton batting ; a piece of flowered 
cretonne or satin ; a paper of tiny tacks ; a hammer ; scis- 
sors. Boat-builder : A piece of wood ; a knife ; a piece 
of cotton ; scissors ; a needle and white thread. Potter : 
A lump of clay. Shoemaker : A small piece of leather ; 
scissors ; needle and thread. Printer : A small printing 
outfit ; several cards. Jeweler : A box of beads ; a 
needle and thread. Weaver : A small loom ; two balls 
of worsted. Flower-maker : Several sheets of colored 
tissue paper ; a small tube of paste ; scissors ; a yard of fine 
wire. Builder : A box of blocks. Hammock-maker: A 
ball of cord ; scissors. Sign-painter : Several large cards ; 
a pencil ; a paint-box. Cabinet-maker : A piece of hard 
wood ; a knife ; tiny tacks ; a small bottle of glue ; a ham- 
mer. Glover : A piece of undressed kid ; needle and 
thread the color of the kid ; scissors ; a thimble. As 
many small cards as children ; as many pencils and sheets 
of paper as children ; two prizes. 
Number of Children, not over 20. Ages, 8 to 14. 

As the children arrive, each draws a card from a 
tray on which are placed, face downward, as many 
cards as there are children, each bearing the name 
of some trade. These they hand to the hostess or 
some other grown person, who sits at a table on 
which are small packages, each having the name of 
a trade upon it. These packages are found to con- 
tain materials from which, the hostess explains, each 



SUPPLEMENTAEY PARTIES 113 

child is to fashion an article such as one of his trade 
would make : the shoemaker, a small shoe ; the 
jeweler, a ring or necklace, etc. An hour is the 
time allowed, and the children work like little 
beavers, cutting, sewing, weaving, or painting. When 
the time is up, a bell rings and all the articles are 
collected. The children then play some game, Spin 
THE Platter or Going to Jerusalem, something 
lively, until the hostess calls them into another room, 
where they will find their handiwork arranged and 
numbered like the exhibits at a fair. Each child is 
asked to write on a slip of paper the number of the 
piece of work he thinks is the best. These slips are 
collected in a bowl or basket, and the maker of the 
piece of work which has the most votes receives a 
prize. A second prize may be given to the one 
whose work is voted next best. Supper follows, 
and afterward a game of Trades may be played. 
Two leaders, one of whom is called Master and the 
other Workman, choose sides, and when the party is 
evenly divided the Workmen select some trade and 
tell the first and last letter of the name to the Masters. 
For example, H— r, horseshoer. The Workmen then 
stand in line, and each does something in pantomime 
appropriate to the trade of horseshoer. One blows 



114 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

the bellows^ anotlier hammers at the anvil, another 
shoes the horse. The Masters are each allowed one 
guess as to the name of the trade the Workmen are 
engaged in, and if they are correct, the Workmen 
are out and the Masters take their place. If, how- 
ever, no one guesses it, the Workmen tell what it 
was and choose another trade to represent. 

AN OUTDOOR WINTER PARTY FOR BOYS 

When ponds are frozen and the snow is on the 
ground, an ideal party for boys may be given. If 
there is a pond on one's grounds, so much the better, 
for then it can be festively decorated with Japanese 
lanterns, strung from tree to tree. The boys should 
be asked to bring their skates and come in a costume 
representing some city or possession of the United 
States. The young host may be dressed as Uncle 
Sam. Indians, Filipinos, darkies, a Quaker, and a 
Boston Baby swarm over the pond, playing Snap the 
Whip, Hockey, or Tag. In playing Red Rover, 
Uncle Sam stands in the middle of the pond and all the 
others gather at one end. At a signal from him they 
skate across to the other end, while he tries to catch 
one or more. Should he succeed, the players caught 
become Red Rovers and help him catch the others. 



> 



o 

W 

O 

fel 




<; 



/ 

f 




SUPPLEMENTAEY PAETIES 117 

When all are captured, the game is over and the first 
one caught must be Eed Eover next time. Later in 
the afternoon a game of Hare and Hounds in the 
snow, with red paper "scent/^ may be played, or 
Uncle Sam and some others may defend a snow fort 
against a storming party of Filipinos and Indians. 
From this exciting game they come rosy and dishev- 
eled, ready to do justice to supper. In the evening 
the pond is lighted with lanterns, so that the boys 
can skate until it is time to say good night. 

DUTCH PARTY 

A Dutch Party will be appreciated in this country, 
where there are so many descendants and admirers 
of " brave little Holland.'' The 6th of December, 
St. Nicholas day, will be an appropriate time for 
such a party, for it is one of the most important 
Dutch festival days. The invitations may be written 
on note-paper or cards which have Delft-blue scenes 
in one corner, or pictures of sturdy little Dutch boys 
and girls in their quaint costumes. 

Materials Eequired 

Planting Tulip Bulbs : Half as many tiny gifts as chil- 
dren, each wrapped in cotton batting and then in brown 



118 THE BOOK OF CHlLDEEJST'S PARTIES 

tissue paper to imitate a tulip bulb ; two basket-trays ; two 
circles of heavy brown paper sixteen inches in diameter ; 
half as many paper tulips as children. The Months : 
Twelve tiny candles of different colors. Tenpins : A set of 
tenpins ; half as many favors as children. Letterbanket : 
Cake, cracker, or pasteboard letters, three or four inches 
high, to spell St. Nicholas ; ten small favors, if desired. 
Gift Baskets : Two large gilded baskets filled with pink 
and white paper tulips ; as many real tulip bulbs as children. 
St. Nicholas's Sack : A huge sack of tan-colored crepe 
paper filled with bonbons ; as many small baskets with 
handles as children. 
Number of Children, 20 to 30. Ages, 6 to 10. 

When all the children have arrived, two basket- 
trays, one heaped with paper tulips, the other with 
what appear to be tulip bulbs, are brought in. Two 
leaders choose sides until the party is equally divided. 
The tulip bulbs are also divided ; half are put into 
one tray and half into the other, while the paper 
tulips are laid away for future use. Two brown 
paper circles, sixteen inches in diameter, are laid on 
the floor, four or five feet apart, and a tray of bulbs 
is put beside each. All is now ready for the plant- 
ing. Two players, one from each side, try which can 
place his bulbs at equal distances apart, around his 
circle just inside the edge, in the shortest time. 
The one who finishes first is the winner for his side. 



SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 119 

The bulbs are then collected and replaced in the 
trays. Another pair of players competes^ and an- 
other, until all have planted the bulbs^ when the side 
having the most winners is the victorious one, and 
the players are rewarded by the bulbs, each of which 
will be found to contain a tiny gift. The paper 
tulips will serve to console the defeated players. 

Magic Candles is the next game. Twelve tiny can- 
dles should be provided beforehand, all of different 
colors. They are placed in low candlesticks in a row 
on the floor, at distances of about a foot and a half 
apart. Each candle is named for a month of the 
year. January has a white candle, February a brown 
one, March pale green, April bright green. May 
violet, June pale pink, July bright pink, August pale 
yellow, September blue, October crimson, Novem- 
ber orange, and December scarlet. Each child in 
turn jumps over the candles, one at a time, and if he 
does so without extinguishing a single candle, the 
coming year will be full of happiness and good times ; 
but, should one flicker out, there will be ill luck in 
that month for the child who put the candle out. 

The game of Tenpins which follows will be played 
in the nursery, where there will be no danger to fur- 
niture or bric-a-brac should the small wooden balls 

7 



120 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

go wide of the mark. Sides are chosen, and the pins 
having been set up at one end of the room, a player 
from each side in turn rolls the ball and knocks over 
as many pins as possible. The score is kept on a 
blackboard or large card hung conveniently near, 
and individual favors should reward the players of 
the winning side. Small bonbon -boxes with Dutch 
scenes on the covers, tiny lamps with tulip-shaped 
globes, or miniature windmills will be dainty and 
appropriate. 

The children now return to the room where they 
are received for a game of Letterbanket. 

In Holland, cakes called by this name are made in 
the form of the letters of the alphabet. These may 
be ordered at a bakery, or crackers baked in alpha- 
bet form will do. Failing either of these, letters 
about four inches high cut from colored cardboard 
may be substituted. The name St. Nicholas, spelled 
out with these letters, is attached to a screen with 
pins so that it can be easily seen by the children, 
who stand in a semicircle (one or more rows deep) 
m front of it. The hostess points with a wand to 
each letter in turn, asking the children to name 
some toy St. Nicholas brings which begins with that 
letter. The first child who calls the name of a toy 



SUPPLEMENTARY PARTIES 121 

beginning with that letter wins the letter. If the 
letters are cakes or sweet crackers they will be a 
sufficient reward in themselves. Otherwise, at the 
end of the game each child who holds a pasteboard 
letter may receive some tiny favor. 

Next comes the game of Jolly Miller. All 
choose partners but one child, who represents the 
Miller. Should there be an even number of chil- 
dren, the hostess or some other grown person will 
join the game to make the odd number. The Miller 
stands in the middle of the circle, and the others, two 
and two, walk slowly round him to imitate a mill- 
wheel. As they walk they chant : 

" There was a Jolly Miller who lived by himself; 
When the mill went round he made his wealth. 
One hand in his pocket and the other in his bag ; 
As the mill went round he made his wealth." 

When this has been sung twice all change partners, 
and the Miller also makes a rush to get a partner. 
The player left out then becomes the Miller, and the 
game goes on. It will then be time for supper, for 
which some menu from Chapter VIII may be chosen. 
Tiny Dutch flags for the boys and caps for the girls 
are attractive supper favors, and a gift basket full 



122 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

of pink and white tulips makes a charming table 
decoration. As each child pulls the ribbon, which 
reaches from the basket to his place, he will draw, 
besides the paper tulip, a real tulip bulb, to which 
is attached a little card with the words, " Plant 
me," written upon it. 

If there is time for one more game after supper, 
it will be St. ]S"icholas's Sack. Each child receives 
a small basket with a handle to hang on his arm, 
and each in turn is blindfolded and led near a huge 
sack of brown crepe paper which is hung between 
folding-doors. Beneath it a white sheet is spread. 
The child is given a cane and told to hit the sack 
three times as hard as he can. ISTeedless to say, few 
strokes hit the mark, but at last the sack bursts, and 
as bonbons rain down on the sheet below, the children 
scramble to fill their baskets. 



SUPPLEMENTARY GAMES 

The following suggestions for games will be found 
useful should the hostess wish to vary the programs 
as we have arranged them. 

GAME OF BOX BASEBALL 

An exceedingly good game for boys and girls is 
Box Baseball. It may be played out of doors or in 
the house. If it is to be out of doors, a square, or 
box, two by two feet is marked off on a gravel walk 
or driveway, and a line drawn across it divides it 
exactly in halves. A second line at right angles with 
the first marks it into quarters (see diagram). 1 is 
marked in the back left-hand square, 2 in the left 
front square, 3 in the right front square, and H, 
which stands for home, in the back right square. Sides 
are then chosen by two players who have been ap- 

123 



124 THE BOOK OF CHILDEE^'S PARTIES 



pointed captains of the teams. A player from the 
side which plays first stands on a line marked across 
the driveway at eight feet from the box. He throws 
a metal disk, aiming to put it into one of the squares. 
Should he throw it outside the box three times he 
is out, and the next player of the same team takes 
his turn. As in baseball, when three players of a 
team are out the next team has its inning. There 

may be nine innings or less, 
but there must be an uneven 
number. When the disk is 
thrown into the square marked 
1, the player counts that he has 
a man on first base, if on 2 on 
second base, if on 3 on third 
base, and if on H a home run 
is counted. Should he in his first and second throw 
have put the disk into the squares marked 2 and 3, 
and with the third throw send it into H, three runs 
will, of course, be counted. 

The side having the most runs at the end of the 
last inning wins. If this game is played in the house, 
the box may be marked off on a wooden board, or, if 
it is on a hardwood floor, in chalk, and instead of a 
metal disk a large bone disk is used. 



1 


H 


2 


3 



SUPPLEMENTAEY GAMES 125 

GUESSING FINGERS 

One child, who is chosen leader, counts ^' One- 
two— three !'' or gives some other sign, at the same 
time holding up as many fingers as he chooses. The 
other children, all at the same moment hold up as 
many fingers as they wish, and as they do so each 
makes a guess as to how many fingers altogether are 
being held up. The fingers are then counted, and 
the player whose guess comes nearest wins. 

OLD SAILOR 

The children count out to see which one will be 
the Old Sailor. All stand in line but the Old Sailor, 
who comes limping up and says to the first child : 

^'Here comes an old sailor from Baffin's Bay ! 
Pray what have you got to give him?'' 

He may then ask whatever questions he chooses, and 
if, in answering him, a player uses the words ^^yes'' 
or '' no,'^ '^ black '' or ^^ white," he must pay a forfeit, 
and the Old Sailor passes on to the next player. 

CATCHING THE SNAKE'S TAIL 

Catching the Snake's Tail is a Japanese game 
which is i)layed as follows : The children form a line. 



126 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

each resting liis bands on the shoulders of the player in 
front. One who is the Catcher is out. The first player 
on the line is called the Head, and the last the Tail. 
When the game begins the Catcher stands about fifteen 
feet from the Head, and, at a given signal, tries to 
catch the Tail, or end player, without pushing any 
one else. The others defend the Tail by moving 
about in any way they choose, except that the line 
must not be broken ; for, should it break, the Tail is 
considered caught and must become Catcher, while 
the Catcher goes to the head of the line. 

WOLF AND LAMB 
All the i)layers but two (who have been chosen 
Wolf and Lamb) form a circle, holding hands. The 
Lamb stands in the middle of the circle or fold. 
The Wolf tries to break through to catch the Lamb, 
and, if he succeeds in getting into the fold, the circle 
immediately breaks to let the Lamb out, closing again 
in time to hold the Wolf. If the latter succeeds in 
catching the Lamb, the two children between whom 
he broke through last become Wolf and Lamb. 

FEATHER PLAY 
Feather Play is very amusing. The children count 
out to see which one will be "it.'^ All the others 



SUPPLEMENTARY GAMES 127 

sit on the floor in a hollow square just large enough 
for the players on each side to hold the edge of a 
large sheet up under their chins. A tiny feather is 
put on the sheet, and the children blow it back and 
forth, hither and thither, while the child who is ^4t '' 
tries to catch it on or in front of one of the others. 
Should he succeed, that player must take his place. 

PUZZLES 
Materials Required 

As many puzzles as children ; one fourth as many small 
tables as children ; as many tally-cards and pencils as 
children ; a box of stars ; two prizes. 

A progressive game of puzzles will prove popular 
if the puzzles are chosen with reference to the ages 
of the children invited. One can often borrow them, 
or they may be bought at a toy-shop. Sliced animals 
and all the other varieties of pictures to be put to- 
gether will be appropriate for a party of very small 
children, and simple puzzles may be found for those 
who are a little older. There should be as many 
puzzles as there are children, and one fourth the 
number of tables, such as are used for progressive 
euchre. Two prizes are also provided, or two of the 



128 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

puzzles may be given as prizes. The tally-cards, 
which should be in the form of a large interrogation 
mark, are each numbered at the top, and corre- 
sponding numbers will be found on the puzzles. For 
example, the players whose cards are numbered 1, 2, 
3, and 4 will try to solve the puzzles 1, 2, 3, and 4 
at the head table, while at the second table those 
whose cards bear the numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8 have 
puzzles numbered to match. When one finishes at 
the head table a bell is rung and each child moves a 
number ahead; every player who has solved his 
puzzle has a star affixed to his card. As to the 
time allowed for playing, the hostess will use her own 
discretion, as in other games. If small brows are 
knotted too tightly, or if, on the other hand, the 
interest flags at all, it will be time to announce the 
last round. The progressive principle may also be 
used in playing board games. Children of from eight 
to twelve will enjoy this. There should be a different 
game for every table, and four children will play at 
each. Such games as Authors, Fish-pond, Tiddledy- 
WINKS, and Halma are chosen, and the children play 
partners. When the game at the head table is fin- 
ished, a bell rings, and those who have won remain 
where they are, while the other two descend to the 



SUPPLEMENTAEY GAMES 129 

last table. The winners at the other tables go to the 
next higher one^ while the losers remain where they 
are, just as in other progressive games. 

MEMORY GAMES 
Materials Required 

A BLACKBOARD ; as many slips of paper as children ; two 
prizes. 

The children are seated in a semicircle in front of 
a blackboard, such as almost every child has in his 
play-room. Each receives a slip of paper on which 
the name of some object or animal is written ; this 
slip must not be shown to any one. The first child 
goes to the blackboard and draws the animal or ob- 
ject—for example, a cat— which was named on his 
slip. The hostess, in a low voice, asks each child in 
turn what he supposes the picture represents. She 
then writes on a piece of paper how many correct 
guesses there were. When each child in turn has 
drawn a picture (and one should follow the other in 
even rows across the blackboard), the one who made 
the drawing that was most recognizable— that is, the 
one that was guessed by the greatest number of chil- 
dren — may be rewarded by a prize. Game number two 
follows. The first child is asked what the first pic- 



130 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 

tiire, a cat, makes liim remember— what he thinks of 
when he sees a picture of a cat. The next child is 
asked about the second picture, and so on. When 
each one has reminisced in this way— and some of 
the little stories aaIII be very amusing— the third 
game is started. Each child in turn shuts his eyes 
and tries to remember and tell how the successive 
pictures come on the blackboard : cat, basket, fish, 
bird, etc. The one who can remember the greatest 
number in succession will deserve a prize. 

HUNTSMAN 

Huntsman is a good game, especially for rather 
small cliildren. One is chosen huntsman who has 
never played the game. He is told that a whistle 
will be hidden which he is to find, and that he will 
be blindfolded until a hiding-place has been decided 
upon. The whistle, a small and very light one, is 
hung on a string and pinned to the back of his coat, 
very carefully. The bandage is then taken from his 
eyes. As he turns his back to the different players 
in searching for the whistle, each blows it. The 
result is very puzzling to him and funny to the 
others, until at last some child does not drop the 
whistle quickly enough, and the trick is discovered. 



CHAPTEE VI 




PEOPERTIES 



CHAPTEE VI 
PEOPERTIES 

TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY 

Characters : King, Queen, Ladies in Waiting, Lords in 
Waiting, Jester, Page, Herald. 

THE King's crown is of gilded water-color paper^ 
cut in the design shown in Chapter I. 
The Queen's crown is also of water-color paper, 
painted with gold, but is much simpler, having a 
single star on a strip of paper an inch wide. 

The Lords and Ladies in Waiting have wooden 
wands gilded, with a gold papier-mache star at the 
end (see Chapter I). 

The Court Jester's cap is made of party-colored 

133 



134 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



cambric or satin with a 



gold or silver bell sewed to 




each point of the collar 
and one on the peak. He 
may also have a folly- 
stick. 

The Page, with plnmed 
cap, mnst be ready to wait 
npon their Majesties the 
King and Qneen. 

The Herald carries a 
long trumpet, from which 
hangs a square banner 
having a fleur-de-lis or 
lion rampant of a con- 
trasting color painted or 
appliqued upon it. 



ALICE IN WONDERLAND PARTY 

Characters : Alice, the White Rabbit, the Mouse, the 
March Hare, the Dodo, the Frog Footman, the Cater- 
pillar, the Cook, the Baby, the Duchess, the Queen, the 
Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Gardeners, Playing-cards. 



The illustrations of ^^ Alice in Wonderland'' will 
be the best guide in making these properties, but 



PROPERTIES 135 

the following suggestions may be helpful in the 
selection of materials and cxuantity needed : 

Alice's apron^ with its little pocket, will, of course, 
be simple to provide. 

The White Rabbit has a rabbit-skin of white 
Canton flannel. The ears are lined with pink cam- 
bric, and the whiskers fringed from a piece of hair- 
cloth. The eyes are large beads outlined with pink 
embroidery silk, and the tail is stuffed with cotton 
batting. This makes an attractive costume for a 
bright-eyed little boy. 

The Mouse wears a costume that is made in much 
the same way, except gray Canton flannel is used 
instead of white. The nose is more pointed and the 
tail long and slender. 

The March Hare has a gray rabbit-skin made like 
the White Rabbit's. One ear is tied with a wisp of 
straw. Masks of papier-mache for the Dodo and the 
Frog Footman may be purchased at a theatrical 
farnisher's or toy-shop. 

The Caterpillar's dress is made of green cambric— 
just a straight bag with tucks quarter of an inch wide 
run around it at intervals of twelve inches. A piece of 
reed or featherbone is put through each of these tucks. 
The bag is rounded at the top to form the head-cov- 



136 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



ering, and an opening is cnt for the face. Holes are 

also made for the arms. Feelers of green-covered 
wire are fastened at the top. 

The Cook has a large mob-cap and a 
pepper-potj and the Baby a close white 
lawn cap. 

The Duchess's head-dress is much more 
elaborate, and is made as follows : Cut 
two sides from water-color paper, and 
decorate with red, gold, and black. Join 
the two sides at front and back with 
paper-fasteners and drape white cheese- 
cloth across the top. 

The Queen's head-dress is also cut from 
water-color paper, decorated and joined 

with a paper-fastener. The coloring may be copied 

from a playing-card queen. 
The Hatter's hat is made 

of buckram covered with 

gray Canton flannel. A 

label fastened to the left 

side of the hat is copied from 

the picture in ^^ Alice in 

Wonderland." It reads, ^^In this style 10/6." 
The mask for the Cheshire Cat is also made of gray 





PEOPEETIES 



137 




Canton flannel, and is fastened to a cap of the same. 
The face is stiffened with crinoline, and horsehair 
whiskers give the final 
touch. 

The Gardeners — Two, 
Five, and Seven of Spades 
—have huge playing-cards 
in their numbers, which 
they wear like sandwich- 
men^ and round painters' 
caps made of white paper. The cards are made of 
sheets of cardboard eighteen by twenty-eight inches, 
and have spades cut from black glazed paper pasted 
on them. Holes are made at the top of the cards 
and tapes or ribbons half an inch wide tie them 
together. One of the gardeners may carry a pail, and 
all three are provided with paint-brushes. The rest 
of the Playing-cards wear cards made in the same 
way as those just described, using red glazed paper 
for the hearts and diamonds. 

MOTHER GOOSE CHARACTER PARTY 

Characters : Little Bo-peep, Little Miss Muffet, Daffydown- 
dilly, the Queen of Hearts, Mistress Mary, Pretty Maids, 
Simple Simon, Spider, Little Boy Blue, Tom the Piper's 
Son, the Knave of Hearts, Old King Cole, Fiddlers. 

8 



138 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

Little Bo-peep, with shepherdess's hat and crook, 
looks as if she might have stepped out from between 
the covers of '' Mother Goose.'' Her hat is trimmed 
with a wreath of pink paper flowers, and a pink 
crepe-paper bow at the back. The crook is made 
of stiff wire covered first with cotton wadding and 
then neatly wound with white crepe paper. The 
top is bent in crook shape and is finished with a 
pink crepe-paper bow with long ends. 

Little Miss Muffet has a large mob-cap made of 
white crepe paper with a bow of light blue in front. 
She may also have a huge wooden spoon and a bowl. 
Daffydowndilly's hat is made, in the shape of a large 
daffodil, of yellow crepe paper. A strip of the crepe 
paper eight inches wide and thirty-two 
inches long is stretched at the top and 
gathered together loosely at the bottom 
to form the center of the flower. Six 
petals, ten inches long, and the shape 
shown in the picture, are wired through 
the center with flat hat-wire. These 
petals are arranged around the center, 
extending about an inch and a half below it to form a 
little crown that will fit on to the head. The in- 
side is stiffened with a strij) of water-color paper. 




PEOPEETIES 141 

The Queen of Hearts wears a crown of water- 
color paper an inch and a half wide and long enough 
to fit a little girl's head. Three hearts of glazed red 
paper are fastened in front, and the band is gilded. 

Mistress Mary is provided with a watering-pot and 
wears a garden-hat. 

Her Pretty Maids may wear either wreaths of 
artificial garden flowers or large flower hats made of 
crepe paper. 

Simi)le Simon, with a fishing-rod and a wooden pail, 
may amuse himself and the rest of the characters 
angling for a whale. 

The Spider, a large and frightensome one, found 
in a Japanese shop, is fastened to an elastic band and 
slipped on to the head of a roguish boy who will 
^^ frighten Miss Muffet away '^ at every opportunity. 

Little Boy Blue has a pointed cap of blue tissue 
paper and a long horn. 

Tom the Piper's Son receives a papier-mache pig 
for his property. 

The Knave of Heart's head-dress may be copied 
from a playing-card on water-color paper. 

Old King Cole has his pipe and bowl, and each 
of the Fiddlers Three, who stay close by him during 
the games, carries a toy fiddle. 



142 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 
FAIRY CHARACTER PARTY 

Characters : Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, Proud Sisters, 
Little Red Riding-hood, Fairies, Fairy Queen, Fairy 
Prince, Jack the Giant-killer, Dick Wellington, Brownies. 

A peep into a prettily illustrated book of old- 
fashioned fairy-tales will be the best guide to char- 
acters and costumes for this party. Cinderella may 
have a small mob-cap with a bow in front, a dust- 
pan and brush hanging at her side. The Fairy God- 
mother, in i)eaked cap of red crepe paper and cloak 
of the same, is also provided with a gilded wand. 
Cinderella's Proud Sisters may have white feathers 
in their hair, one with a blue rosette of crepe paper 
and one with a pink. 

Little Red Riding-hood will look very charming in 
a red cloak which is easily made from red flannel or 
crepe paper. She should also have a small covered 
basket. 

The Fairies' wings are made of white tarlatan cut 
the shape of butterflies' wings, wired around the edge, 
and spangled with gold paint. The Fairy Queen 
may, besides her wings, receive a gold crown and 
wand. The F^airy Prince also has a crown, wand, and 
wings. 



PEOPEETIES 143 

Jack the Giant-killer should have a white canvas 
belt to which is attached a toy sword. ^^This is 
Jack the Giant-killer'' is painted in gold letters 
around the belt. 

Dick Wellington^ in red cap and feather, must not 
be parted from his cat, a large stuffed cotton one. 

The Brownies' caps are of tissue paper made 
pointed. They are, of course, brown in color, and a 
green band at the bottom gives a look of the woods. 
These little boys must live up to their characters, 
playing tricks whenever they see an opportunity. 



CHAPTEE YII 







I- J 






OB J* »• 




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y; 



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,^^^' 
T*-"^ 



GIFTS AND FAVOES 



CHAPTER yil 
GIFTS AND FAVORS 

DECEMBER— CHRISTMAS PARTY 

Sl^OWBALLS for the Holly Wreath game are 
very simple to make. A piece of cotton batting 
the size and shape of a real snowball is covered with 
a strip of white crepe 
paper nine inches long 
and five inches wide. 
The narrow edges are 
pasted together and it is 
then gathered at the top 
and bottom. The crepe 
paper is stretched in the middle to fit around the 
ball of cotton. Gum-arabic water is spread over 
it with a soft brush and the ball is rolled in snow- 
powder. 

147 




148 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

Eeindeer Boxes for bonbons are small oval paste- 
board boxes covered on the top with white crepe 
paper which has a layer of cotton wadding under- 
neath to make it look like a soft snow-bank. Eope 
made of crepe-paper strips, an inch and a half wide, 
is pasted around the sides and a small papier-mache 
reindeer is sewed on top of the box. The crepe 
paper is then treated with gum-arabic water and 
snow-powder, like the snowballs. 

The Large Gift Snowball has for a foundation a 
wire frame eighteen inches in diameter, with a round 
opening at the top large enough to allow the gifts to 
slip in. It should also have a wire handle by which 
to hang it. This frame will have to be made, and 
may be ordered through a florist. It is first cov- 
ered with a thin sheet of cotton wadding and then 
with white crepe paper like the small snowballs. 

The gifts are wrapped in white tissue paper, with 
ribbons half an inch wide and a yard long attached 
to each package, red ribbons for the boys and white 
for the girls. The gifts are put into the round open- 
ing at the top and the ribbons drawn through slits 
in the sides of the snowball, care being taken not to 
have them interfere with the wire ribs. A round 
cover made of cardboard slightly wadded and cov- 



GIFTS AND FAVORS 149 

ered with white ciepe paper is put over the opening 
at the top. The wire hanger is wound with a nar- 
row strip of the crepe paper^ and then the snowball 
is ready for gum-arabic water and snow-powder. 
Glass icicles hung here and there add the last touch 
of realism^ and wreaths of artificial holly and mistle- 
toe wound around it give a festive look. 

JANUARY — TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY 

Twelfth-night cards are made of white water-color 
paper and on each is painted one of the characters 
of a royal court : a king, queen^ jester^ page, knave^ 
and herald. Cards for the remaining children have 
lords and ladies upon them. 

Air Balls of rice paper may be bought at a Japa- 
nese shopj or it is possible to make light paper balls 
as follows : Three circles of colored paper measuring 
three inches in diameter are cut. Across each of 
these is drawn a. line dividing it exactly in two. 
Then another line, crossing the first at right angles 
and dividing the circle into quarters. In one of 
these circles, which we will call No. 1, four slits are 
cut, starting at the edge, for half an inch in toward 
the center along the ruled lines. In the next circle, 
No. 2, two slits are cut for half an inch in toward 



150 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

the center^ starting at the edge^ at the two ends of a 
ruled line^ and a long cut is made on the line at right 
angles with it, beginning half an inch in from the 
edge and ending half an inch from the opposite edge. 
ISTo. 3 has two long cuts, bisecting each other, through 
the center of the circle and ending at half an inch 
from the edge of the circle at the end of each line. 
Taking ISTo. 1 in the left hand, slip the long middle 
slit in 'No. 2 over it and the small slits on each side 
of No. 1 will hold it securely. The cross-cuts in No. 
3 allow it to slip over the other two and catch in the 
short slits on the edge of each. This makes a light 
ball which is easily blown about. 

Net Stockings for bonbons are cut the size of babies' 
socks. The two sides are buttonholed together with 
bright-colored worsted, and a cord to match draws it 
up like a bag at the top. 

Star-shaped Jack Horner Pie : A star-shaped frame 
will have to be ordered from a carpenter. The size 
will be determined by the size of the table on which 
it is to be used. The foundation of the pie is a large 
ten-quart milk-pan, covered first with white tissue 
and then with silver paper. The gifts are wrapped 
in white tissue paper and tied with silver cord a 
yard long with a small silver star at the end. They 



GIFTS AISTD FAVOES 151 

are packed into the pan^ care being taken not to 
have them come above the top. Cover with white 
tissue paper, draw the cords through small slits, and 
paste the paper around the edge. Make small cor- 
responding slits in the large silver star and draw the 
cords through. Paste the rim of the pie to the under 
side of the star. 

FEBRUARY — ST. VALENTINE'S PARTY 

Favors for St. Valentine's Post : Tiny envelops one by 
two and a half inches have a shiny red heart in each. 
In the stamp corner is a tally-heart, and the envelop 
is addressed in gold ink " To my Valentine.'' 

Gift Tarts : Small shallow white saucers are used 
by the Queen of Hearts in making her world-re- 
nowned tarts. She wraps tiny gifts appropriate to 
the season in tissue paper and places one in each 
saucer. Then, with a red tissue-paper covering 
(cranberry-color) pasted neatly to the edge of the 
saucer, and strips of brown paper touched with 
darker brown water-color to look like pastry, and 
a strip of the pastry paper around the edge, the 
tarts are complete. 

Endless Chain of Hearts : A brass chain long enough 
to extend around the table can be purchased at a 



152 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

hardware-store ; also tiny brass padlocks and keys. 
Hearts cut out of red crepe paper six inches across 
the widest part, and of white tissue paper a trifle 
smaller, are used in covering the favors. A favor 
wrapped in tissue paper is first covered with two of 
the tissue-paper sides pasted together at the edges. 
They are then laid between the crepe-paper tops, 
which are laced together with gold cord. A bow is 
made at the top with full loops of the cord. By one 
of these loops the heart is padlocked to the chain, 
and one is arranged to come in front of each girl and 
boy. The tiny keys are wrapped in silver-foil, and 
one is baked in each of the heart-shaped cakes. 
Great is the excitement when they are discovered 
and the favor hearts are unlocked from the chain. 

If a Heart-shaped Jack Horner Pie is used for the 
favors, the chain hearts may be bonbon-boxes tied 
up with the cord and the same idea of the padlocks 
carried out. The pie is made in the same way as 
the Twelfth-night star, a heart-shaped frame being 
used instead of the star top. 

MARCH — ALICE IN WONDERLAND 

The Rose bush for Alice in Wonderland is very 
realistic, and the gift-filled roses a delightful sur- 



GIFTS AND FAVORS 153 

prise. A small round box has a stiff wire stem bent 
and sewed securely to the bottom. Eose-petals, 
red or white^ cut and curled, are then slipped 
on to the stem and pasted so as to cover the box. 
Next the calyx of green tissue paper is made and 
the stem twisted with a strip of the same, rose-leaves 
being twisted in with it. The top of the box has 
two of the same petals pasted on it and five or six 
smaller crushed ones for the center. The box is 
lined with fringed white paper, a tiny trinket hid- 
den within it, and the cover put on, making a 
perfect rose. The stand for 
the roses has for its founda- 
tion a small dish-pan the shape 
of a flower-pot. The two han- 
dles are removed and a tin fun- 
nel turned upside down is 
wired to the bottom of the 
tin through punched holes. 
The bottom of the tin is cov 
ered with white tissue and Ijl green crepe paper, and 
a gathered frill of the yy green is pasted around 
the outside. A flag-stick f} three feet high is placed 
in the funnel and wired I to make it quite secure. 
The pan is then filled II with artificial moss. The 




154 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PARTIES 



stick is twisted with green tissue paper, and loops of 
soft green-covered wire are arranged as in the picture. 

These loops hold the roses, and 
the gift surprise is ready for the 
Gardeners, who distribute the 
flowers, white to the girls and 
red to the boys. 

FAIRY CHARACTER PARTY 

Fairy Rose-tree : These roses 
are made a little differently from 
those described for the Alice in 
Wonderland Party. Instead 
of using a box the stem is fas- 
tened to a piece of oval card- 
board about two and a half inches 
long. Five of the small crushed petals are pasted on 
the outside and six of the large curled ones on the 
under side. The stem is finished as already de- 
scribed. A pretty bisque doll's face with two holes 
at the top, under the hair, is fastened into the center, 
and the roses are placed in the wire loops, as in the 
other rose-bush. 

Wrap as many gifts as there are children in green 
tissue paper, with green ribbons a yard long for the 





Christmas Snow-ball 
Little Bo-Peep Surprise Fairy Rose-bush 



GIFTS AND FAVOES 157 

boys. Whatever color is chosen for the roses,— red, 
pink, yellow, or white,— the girls' ribbons are the 
same. The gifts are packed in the pan. After the 
children have drawn their favors, each receives one 
of the fairy roses. 

MOTHER GOOSE CHARACTER PARTY 

Little Bo-peep Snrprise : A pan is covered and 
lined like a Jack Horner Pie, and filled with ribbon- 
tied gifts as already described, white for the girls 
and green for the boys. The covering is of i3retty 
ivy-green crepe paper, and it is finished with a large 
double frill. White woolly sheep glued on to card- 
board stands, one and a half by two and a half 
inches, covered with green crepe paper, are glued 
where the ribbons come through the top of the pie. 
A doll dressed as Little Bo-peep stands in the center, 
crook in hand. One little girl, instead of drawing a 
gift, finds on the end of her ribbon a card which 
reads : ^^This little girl is entitled to Bo-peep.'' 

MAY-MAY PARTY 

Individual May Baskets : These little baskets are 
woven of raf&a or rattan in the conventional May 
basket shape (see Chapter II). If rattan is used^ 



158 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEK'S PARTIES 

it is pretty to gild each basket and tie a fluffy bow 
of gauze ribbon at the top of the handle. 

Gift Basket : A large round rattan basket is placed 
in the center of the table. The basket is much 
prettier if gilded. A bow of broad pink satin rib- 
bon is tied to the handle and the basket filled with 
sprays of apple-blossoms^ real or artificial. A gift is 
tied to the end of each stem, and satin ribbons half 
an inch wide extend to each place^ pink for the girls 
and green for the boys. 

JUNE — ROSE PARTY 

Butterfly Favors : The wings of paper butterflies 
are made over a frame of white cardboard. 
From top to point each wing measures eleven 
and a half inches. The frame is covered with 
white tissue paper and then with crepe paper 
gathered at the inner side^ 
stretched^ and pasted to the 
edges. White^ yellow, and green 
are the prettiest colors to use. 
A wire stiff enough to support 
the butterfly is attached to the center, 
where the two wings are joined by sew- 
ing with strong white linen thread. 




GIFTS AND FAVOES 



159 



The body is then pasted to cover the joining. Two 
black-headed pins are stuck in for eyes, a piece of 
flexible green- 
covered wire 
attached for 
antennae, and 
the butterfly is 
ready for its 
markings of 
black, gold, 
and delicate 
shades. 

A Eose Horn 
for a Hide-and- 
go-seek favor 
is made in the 
following way : 
A short tin horn is used for the foundation. Three 
small crushed rose-petals are pasted inside the flared 
end. A pencil is pushed through the paper to let 
the sound out, and six of the larger curled petals are 
pasted on the outside of the flared end. The horn is 
then wound like a stem with green tissue paper and 
leaves. 

Eose Bonbon-box : This box is made in the same 

9 




160 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 



way as those that grow on the Alice in Wonderland 
rose-bushj except that a bisque dolPs face is fastened 

in the center 
(see descrip- 
tion of Fairy 
Eose - bush on 
p. 152.) 

Eose Gift 
Ball : This ball 
has a wire 
foundation 
like the large 
-^CV 'P^li^^^^i^^PW^ snowball (see p. 

^6^^^^^^HO^^ I'^S), and is 

made in the 
same way, ex- 
cept that pink tissue paper is used for the first cov- 
ering and it is then covered with rose petals. The 
handle is covered with green tissue paper and leaves, 
and the ribbons attached to the gifts are pink for the 
girls and green for the boys. 




JULY— FOURTH OF JULY PARTY 

Cartridge Belt and Bag : A strip of khaki twenty- 
four inches long and four inches wide is folded 



GIFTS AND FAVOES 161 

and stitched for the belt. It may be fastened with 
two ball-and-socket fasteners. A square bag of the 
khaki, five by seven inches, is then attached to the 
right side of the belt. It may or may not have an 
envelop-shaped flap at the top. 

Bonbon-boxes like large fire-crackers may be 
bought at the confectioner's. Stand as many as there 
are children upright on a tray, and tie around with 
red, white, and blue satin ribbon two and a half 
inches wide. 

A Jack Horner Pie made of white crepe paper, 
with decorations of poppies, daisies, and cornflowers, 
and red, white, and blue ribbons for pulling the 
favors, is pretty and appropriate. The gifts should 
be wrapped in paper napkins that have American 
flags in the corners. Patriotic gifts such as toy 
cannons, red, white, and blue horns, and cap-pistols 
may be selected. 

OCTOBER — HALLOWE'EN FROLIC 

A Witch is made by dressing a small doll in peaked 
cap, black skirt, and red cloak. She is wired astride 
a small bunch of fagots. 

A Ghost : A Japanese skeleton swathed in white 
chiffon makes an ideal ghost. 



162 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 

Jack-o'-lantern Surprise : Select a large round 
pumpkin^ and carefully remove the top, keeping it 
whole for '' Jack's '' hat. Next hollow out all of the 
inside possible, and cut triangular eyes, nose, and 
mouth. The favors will suggest the future lot of the 
boy or girl who receives them : a ring for the one 
who will be the first married, a horseshoe for good 
luck, a thimble for an old maid, etc. These favors 
are wrapped in yellow tissue paper, tied with long 
strands of raf&a, and packed in the pumpkin. The 
raf&a is used instead of ribbons for pulling the gifts, 
and gives the effect of hair. 

NOVEMBER - FAMILY PARTY 

Gift Pumpkin : A wire frame— fifteen inches in 
diameter, with a round opening at the top seven and 
a half inches in diameter, and like the frame for 
the large snowball except that it is not quite so high— 
is ordered from the florist. This is covered with 
white tissue paper and an outer covering of yellow 
crepe paper. A top of cardboard, slightly wadded 
and covered with the yellow paper, has a wire stem 
first wound with cotton wadding and then with 
green tissue paper. The pumpkin-vine is made of 
soft green- covered wire twisted with the green tissue 



GIFTS AISTD FAYOES 163 

paper, and has large irregular pumpkin-leaves cut 
from the same and wired through the center. Eeal- 
istic little tendrils are made from the green wire, 
covered and twisted into the proper shape. The 
vine is attached to the stem of the pumpkin and 
twisted gracefully around it. The pumpkin is now 
ready for the gifts, which are wrapped in yellow 
paper and tied with ribbons a yard long, yellow for 
the girls and green for the boys. On the end of 
each ribbon is fastened a papier-mache turkey with 
spreading tail. 

Bonbon-boxes in fruit shapes may be bought at a 
confectioner's. 



CHAPTER YIII 




Chrislnsss 




DECEMBER 
CHRISTMAS PARTY 

Cream of chicken soup 
Finger-roll sandwiches, buttered 
Individual ices in Santa Claus form 
Lady-fingers Macaroons 

Rock candy in reindeer boxes 




SUGGESTIONS FOE SIMPLE MENUS 



CHAPTER yill 
SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE MEIS^US 

JANUARY — TWELFTH-NIGHT PARTY 

Consomm§ 
Chicken croquettes and green peas 

Lettuce sandwiches 

Ices served in star-shaped ice-cups 

Individual cakes, star-shaped (a ring baked in one) 

Bonbons in net stockings 

FEBRUARY-ST. VALENTINE'S PARTY 

Valentine place-cards 

Cream of celery soup Heart beets 

Chicken patties, heart-shaped 

Sandwiches in heart-shape 

Heart-shaped ices, individual 

Fancy cakes, heart-shaped 
Favor tarts or chain of hearts i 

iSee Chapter VII. 

167 



168 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

MARCH- ALICE IN WONDERLAND PARTY 

The Mad Tea-party 

Cambric tea Bread and butter 

{Each child moves one seat to the right) 

Creamed chicken Lettuce sandwiches 

(The children again move) 

Ices served in playing-card boxes 
Fancy cakes Bonbons 

Fairy Character Party 

Chocolate Bread-and-butter sandwiches 

Creamed chicken 

Individual Brownie ices 

Fancy cakes Bonbons 

Rose-bush surprise^ 

Mother Goose Character Party 

Bouillon Sandwiches 

Creamed chicken 

"Strawberries, sugar, and cream" 

Sponge cake Bonbons 

Little Bo-peep surprise 2 

1 See Chapter VII. 2 ibid 



SUGGESTIONS FOE SIMPLE MENUS 171 



APRIL-EASTER PARTY 

Consomm^ 

Chicken salad Finger-rolls 

Sandwiches 

Egg-shaped ices in nest of spun sugar 

Cakes Bonbons 



MAY-MAY PARTY 

Chicken Consomm6 

Lettuce sandwiches Buttered finger-rolls 

Flower ices Lady-fingers 

Gift basket i 
1 See Chapter VII. 



172 THE BOOK OF CHILDREN'S PARTIES 



JUNE-ROSE PARTY 

Bouillon Wafers 

Chicken salad Lettuce sandwiches 

Strawberry ice-cream in rose cups 

Fancy cakes 

JULY-FOURTH OF JULY PARTY 

Chocolate Bread-and-butter sandwiches 

Vanilla ice-cream in red, white, and blue ice-cups 

Sponge cake 

Bonbons in fire-crackers 

Jack Horner pie^ 
1 See Chapter VII. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR SIMPLE MENUS 173 



AUGUST — BEACH PARTY 

Milk Sandwiches 

Cold chicken Stuffed eggs 

Individual squares of ice-cream 

Cake Bonbons 

SEPTEMBER — IN THE MOUNTAINS 

I. Supper at Inn 
Bouillon Wafers 

Chicken patties Hot biscuits and honey 
Ices Cakes 

II. Picnic Supper 
Tongue sandwiches Nut sandwiches 

Cold chicken Hard-boiled eggs 

Chocolate layer cake 

Pop-corn Fruit 



174 THE BOOK OF CHILDEEN'S PAETIES 



OCTOBER-HALLOWE'EN FROLIC 

Consomm^ 

' Chicken sandwiches 

Baked apples, jellied Whipped cream 

Doughnuts Gingerbread animals 

Nuts Fruit 

Jack-o'-lantern surprise i 



NOVEMBER — FAMILY PARTY 

Bouillon Bread-and-butter sandwiches 

Creamed chicken 

Ices Cakes 

Bonbons in fruit-boxes 

Thanksgiving pumpkin 2 
1 See Chapter VII. 2 See Chapter VII. 



SFP 30 1903 



